TIMOTHEE PEMBELE will make his first Sunderland start in this evening's Championship game at Leeds United.

Pembele is a surprise starter at Elland Road as Black Cats boss reverts to the five-man defensive shape that proved so effective in the home victory over Leeds back in December.

Callum Styles also returns to the starting line-up and is expected to play at left wing-back, with Pembele on the opposite flank.

Leo Hjelde and Adil Aouchiche drop out of the Sunderland side that claimed a goalless draw with Bristol City at the weekend.

Chris Rigg retains his position on the right of midfield, with Patrick Roberts once again named on the substitutes' bench. Jobe Bellingham continues as Sunderland's central striker.

Having been left out of the matchday squad at the weekend, Abdoullah Ba returns to the fray this evening having been named on the substitutes' bench. Loan striker Mason Burstow drops out of the Black Cats squad.


LEEDS (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara; James, Rutter, Summerville; Bamford.

Subs: Darlow (gk), Cresswell, Cooper, Piroe, Anthony, Byram, Gnonto, Roberts, Joseph.
 

SUNDERLAND (5-4-1): Patterson; Pembele, Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Styles; Rigg, Neil, Ekwah, Clarke; Bellingham.

Subs: Bishop, Hemir, Roberts, Mundle, Ba, Aouchiche, Hjelde, Alese, Dack.