Sunderland and Mike Dodds have received an injury boost.
Sunderland’s under-21s have chosen their starting XI for this evening’s Premier League 2 match against Leicester City, which will draw lots of first-team interest.
Sunderland’s youth squad will meet Leicester at Eppleton CW this evening, with kickoff at 7 p.m. The Wearsiders are 13th in the 26-team Premier League 2 league, with the Foxes 22nd. Coming into the game, the two sides were separated by eight points.
Aji Alese was chosen to the starting XI after signing a new deal with the Academy of Light on Friday afternoon. The 23-year-old defender has made only three first-team appearances this season owing to injury setbacks, but he could return after this month’s international break and will face the Foxes to gain minutes.
Alese’s contract with Wearside was due to expire in 2025, but the player, who joined from West Ham in 2022, has extended his stay at the Stadium of Light until 2027. Sunderland’s under-21s also named Corry Evans and Bradley Dack to their starting lineup, as both continue their injury recoveries.
The Black Cats defeated 3-2 to Newcastle United at the Academy of Light on Monday, with Mason Burstow Dack, Evans, Timothee Pembele, and Pierre Ekwah starting the Wear-Tyne Derby. Evans, Sunderland’s club captain, played 45 minutes before being substituted, and a similar performance is expected against Leicester.
Sunderland starting lineup: Cameron, Bainbridge, Bell, Fieldson, Alese, Evans, Middlemas, Jones (captain), Kelly, Watson, and Dack.
Subs: Chibueze, Lavery, Chiabi, Burke, and Ryder.
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