Jewison Bennette returns to starting lineup for Sunderland U21s clash vs Lyon

Sunderland winger Jewison Bennette returns to the starting lineup for Graeme Murty’s U21s as they face Lyon at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground on Tuesday evening.

The Costa Rican talent has struggled for consistent game time at youth level this season, but begins the Black Cats’ Premier League International Cup clash against their French opponents out on the left wing.

Other notable inclusions in Sunderland’s starting XI include Harrison Jones and Trey Ogunsuyi, who have both featured in first team match day squads of late, but who will feature for the U21s rather than their senior counterparts - who face Derby County at the Stadium of Light - this evening.

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The rest of the Black Cats’ side sees Blondy Nna Noukeu start in net, with a back four of Tom Lavery, Luke Bell, Joe Anderson, and Jenson Jones in front of him. In midfield, Ben Middlemas starts alongside Marshall Burke.

Sunderland’s attacking unit will be comprised of Bennette on the left, Caden Kelly on the right, and the aforementioned captain Jones just behind Ogunsuyi.