JACK CLARKE is in Sunderland's starting line-up for their opening pre-season game of the summer at South Shields.

Clarke is part of the starting side at the 1st Cloud Arena despite being the subject of ongoing transfer interest from Burnley.

Sunderland have rejected two separate Clarets bid for Clarke, but while Vincent Kompany's Premier League newcomers remain extremely interested in signing the winger, Tony Mowbray has opted to select him in Sunderland's line-up this lunchtime.

As expected, with another game coming up at Gateshead later this afternoon, Mowbray has named a mixture of experienced players and youngsters in his side.

Anthony Patterson starts in goal at Mariners Park, with Lynden Gooch and Luke O'Nien lending some experience to the backline.

Jay Matete, who is back in the fold after his loan spell at Plymouth, partners Pierre Ekwah in central midfield, with Isaac Lihadji and Abdoullah Ba playing alongside Clarke in the attacking-midfield positions.

Summer signing Hemir makes his first appearance in a Sunderland shirt in attack, having moved to Wearside from Benfica, where he played in the B side last season.


SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Gooch, Brompton, O'Nien, Taylor; Matete, Ekwah; Lihadji, Ba, Clarke; Hemir.

Subs: Richardson, Kindon, Pye, Burke, Lavery, Beattie, Ogunsuyi, Rigg, Spellman, Mitchell, Tuterov.