SUNDERLAND are without Jobe Bellingham for today's game against Watford.
The midfielder is replaced by Salis Abdul Samed in what is the only change from the team that started against Middlesbrough on Monday night.
Bellingham has suffered what has been described as a "small ankle injury". It's understood the midfielder is expected to be in contention to return against Luton in midweek.
The midfield switch means Enzo Le Fee continues on the left and Patrick Roberts the right. Samed's inclusion is likely to mean Dan Neil pushes on into more of an advanced midfield role.
The defence is unchanged. Ben Middlemas comes into the squad on the bench.
The Black Cats are looking to extend their unbeaten stretch to seven Championship games, while the visiting Hornets have lost their last three league games.
SUNDERLAND: Patterson, Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Cirkin, Neil, Samed, Roberts, Rigg, Le Fee, Isidor
SUBS: Moore, Ballard, Mayenda, Middlemas, Aleksic, Hjelde, Poveda, Ogunsuyi, Jones
WATFORD: Selvik; Andrews, Pollock, Abankwah, Larouci; Louza, Dele-Bashiru; Chakvetadze, Kayembe, Sissoko; Doumbia.
SUBS: Bond, Ngakia, Sierralta, Keben, Ince, Morris, Adu-Poku, Ramirez-Espain, Nabizada
