Sunderland 0 Bristol City 0 LIVE: Highlights as Aji Alese returns and Mike Dodds' side take a point

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Sunderland’s Championship match against Bristol City.

The Black Cats will be looking for a reaction following their 5-1 defeat against Blackburn last time out, with six league games remaining this season.

We’ll have all the build-up ahead of the match, as well as in-game analysis and post-match reaction.

Stick around and refresh the page for live updates throughout the day.

We’ll start with the Sunderland team news.

Interim head coach Mike Dodds has said defender Aji Alese (below) is in contention for today’s match after playing 90 minutes for the under-21s side on Monday.

Corry Evans has suffered a minor setback in training and remains unavailable, with Dennis Cirkin, Jenson Seelt, Niall Huggins and Elliot Embleton also sidelined.

Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts returned from injury setbacks against Blackburn, while Nazariy Rusyn could return following a calf issue.

Bristol City are two points ahead of Sunderland in the table and have won three of their last four matches.

The Robins have recorded back-to-back 1-0 wins over Leicester and Plymouth, with striker Nahki Wells scoring the game’s only goal against Argyle.

Here’s what Sunderland interim boss Mike Dodds had to say in Friday’s press conference when discussing his side’s defeat against Blackburn.

“I'll be honest, I didn't speak to the players [immediately] after the game.

“I was really angry. Sometimes when you go into that space, you have to be really clear and get your words right and your messages correct. So I didn't speak to them after the game, I gave myself 48 hours to watch the game back and watch the clips back and gauge other opinions.

“I talk a huge amount to the players about respecting the football club and league and opponents and I'll be honest, I felt we didn't do that. I felt we won on Friday and we took our eye off the ball. I think the result on Friday gave us a false economy in terms of where we are, which for me is infuriating. And I do hope it's the kick between the legs that we need to reset us.”

Here are our predicted line-ups for today’s match:

Predicted Sunderland XI: Patterson, Hume, O’Nien, Ballard, Hjelde, Neil, Rigg, Ba, Dack, Clarke, Bellingham

Predicted Bristol City XI: O’Leary, Tanner, Vyner, Dickie, Pring; James, Knight, Sykes, Twine, Mehmeti, Wells

"Looking back at the defeat to Blackburn, the manner of it was completely unacceptable. We can't go from the level we did against Cardiff and two days later play the way we did - we have analysed it fully this week and have to respond today."

So it’s three changes for Sunderland following Monday's defeat against Blackburn.

Leo Hjelde, Chris Rigg and Jack Clarke return to the starting XI, with Patrick Roberts, Romaine Mundle and Callum Styles dropping to the bench. Aji Alese is back on the bench as Abdoullah Ba isn’t named in the squad.

Bristol City have made two changes following their 1-0 win over Plymouth on Monday. Mark Sykes and Nahki Wells come into the side, with defender Rob Dickie missing out with a calf injury.

Ready to go...

Game under way!

The visitors start the brighter as Pring charges down the left before Neil turned the wing-back’s low cross behind for a corner.

Twine’s delivery was then punched away by Patterson before Mehmeti’s shot was blocked.

As expected Rigg has started on the right for Sunderland, with Bellingham up front.

The visitors have started with a back three and wing-backs.

That was better from Sunderland as Aouchiche skipped past Knight inside the Bristol City box before his dinked cross was held by O’Leary.

Moments later, Hume’s cross from the right was turned behind for a corner.

Sunderland look the most likely to score right now.

Neil’s shot is blocked, as the home fans appeal for handball, before Aouchiche skews an effort wide from inside the box.