West Brom v Sunderland, First Game Of The Season

Sunderland travel to West Brom for the first game of the season against Alan Irvin’s side who are looking to get off to a good start.

The Baggies new record signing could be given his first start for the club, but another new boy Joleon Lescott is still recovering from a knee injury.

Midfielder James Morrison is also suffering a knee problem and and is also out of contention, and defender Gareth McAuley is also struggling, he has a calf problem.

Sunderland travel to the game without the services of Emanuele Giaccherini and Billy Jones.

The Italian is out with a groin injury, while former Baggies defender Jones misses with a hamstring problem.

Gus Poyet then also faces the problem of which keeper to use with Carlos Pantilimon and Vito Mannone both looking for a start.

There should also be debuts for Patrick van Aanholt, Jordi Gomez and Will Buckley.