George McCartney returns to the Sunderland starting line-up after recovering from his ankle injury.

Andy Reid plays in front of him with Dean Whitehead and Teemu Tainio in cetral midfield. Steed Malbranque returns from his one match suspension and will play on the right flank.

After signing his new contgratct, Kenwyne Jones plays up front with Djibril Cisse.

David Haely and Michael Chopra offer striking opportunities on the bench.

Former Black Cats midfielder Dickson Etuhu starts for Fulham.

Sunderland: Fulop,Bardsley,Ferdinand,Collins,McCartney,Malbranque,Whitehead,Tainio,Reid,Cisse,Jones