DJIBRIL CISSE has been made the fall-guy for Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia's decision to pack the midfield at Bolton today.

The French striker has only been named on the bench, with Kenwyne Jones asked to provide the lone threat up front at the Reebok Stadium, where 5,000 supporters have made the trip from Wearside.

Cisse's omission has opened the door for Finnish midfielder Teemu Tainio to come back in as the anchor man in midfield.

But there is no return to the starting line-up for Irishman Andy Reid for a match that Sunderland could do with three points to pile further pressure on Middlesbrough and Newcastle in the relegation run-in.

Bolton, meanwhile, have gone with the team that many expected, with Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander the powerful threats going forward.

BOLTON (4-5-1): Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, O’Brien, Cahill, Samuel; Elmander, McCann, Cohen, Muamba, Taylor; K Davies. Subs: Al Habsi, M Davies, Makukula, Smolarek, Puygrenier, Riga, Basham.

SUNDERLAND (4-5-1): Fulop; Bardsley, Ferdinand, Davenport, Collins; Malbranque, Leadbitter, Tainio, Whitehead, Richardson; Jones. Subs: Edwards, Cisse, Murphy, Reid, McShane, Healy, Colgan.