Sunderland lunchtime round-up: Welcome match action for Mannone and Larsson

The Italian keeper will be between the sticks as Sunderland U23s take on Notts County in the deciding group fixture of the Checkatrade Trophy.

It’s a welcome boost for Sunderland boss David Moyes, who will be hoping a lot more injuries clear up soon.

Swedish midfielder Seb Larsson is also relishing another game on his comeback from injury.

He says he’s happy to be kicking a football without pain again. Click here for the story.

There probably won’t be much of a crowd tonight for a competition that has proved controversial.

But Sunderland coach Robbie Stockdale says it has worked well for his players. Read what he says here.

And there’s a former Newcastle striker in action tonight, hoping to take a win away from Wearside.

We also take a look back 10 years to see what the Echo was reporting on SAFC.

Niall Quinn made a vow only to leave Sunderland when the club was established in the Premier League.

That looked a while off, with Roy Keane still getting to grips with management in the Championship - the surge up the table was still to come!

And Kelvin Davis says he was ‘scarred’ by his one year with Sunderland, just ahead of his return.