Adam Johnson: Scored in last season's win over Newcastle
Gus Poyet will take charge of his first home game as Sunderland boss in the Wear-Tyne derby against Newcastle.
Sunderland and Newcastle locks horns for the 151st time with the Black Cats still searching for their first win in the Premier League this season.
Sunderland remain rooted to the bottom of the table and are desperate to kick-start their season.
Poyet replaced Paolo Di Canio at the Stadium of Light earlier this month and endured a baptism of fire in his first game in charge after seeing his troops go down to a 4-0 defeat at Swansea.
Sunderland won the last meeting between the two fierce rivals with a memorable 3-0 win at St James' Park and Newcastle will be out for revenge for that defeat.
Newcastle will be aiming to pile the misery on their rivals and secure bragging rights as they look to build on their win against Cardiff and draw against Liverpool in their last two games.
Paul Merson's prediction
If Sunderland win this game then they might get on a roll, but if they lose it then you wonder what's going to happen. The confidence is low already, so how low is it going to get after that? You will end up with the fans up against you if you lose at home to your arch-rivals. Gus Poyet will want his players to start this game at 100mph - to play at a high tempo, but to play with their heads - and they need to score early because the longer the game goes on, the more Newcastle will become favourites.
I think Newcastle will win this game because they have more guile and more matchwinners in their side in Loic Remy, Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa. Sunderland will have lots of enthusiasm, but if Newcastle can get through the first 20 minutes without falling behind then I don't see how they can lose the game.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2
Sunderland
Sunderland defender Wes Brown could make a first competitive appearance for the club in almost 21 months against Newcastle on Sunday.
The 34-year-old former Manchester United star, whose last senior game came against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup in January last year, is available after ridding himself of a calf injury sustained in pre-season.
Midfielder Ki Sung-yueng, who was ineligible to play against parent club Swansea last weekend, also returns to the squad as the Black Cats attempt to secure a first Premier League victory of the season.
Newcastle
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is suspended for Newcastle after being sent-off in last weekend's draw with Liverpool.
Captain Fabricio Coloccini remains sidelined for Newcastle with a groin injury meaning Alan Pardew has a big decision to make on who will partner Mike Williamson in the heart of the defence.
Paul Dummett, who came off the bench to score and fill the void left by Mbwia's sending off last weekend, is pushing for a place in the starting XI, but Steven Taylor is expected to get the nod to start after recovering from injury.
Ryan Taylor remains Newcastle's only long-term absentee otherwise Pardew has a fully-fit squad to choose from
Previous game's starting line-ups
Team taken from Sunderland vs Swansea City (Barclays Premier League) on Saturday 19th October 2013
Team taken from Newcastle United vs Liverpool (Barclays Premier League) on Saturday 19th October 2013
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