The story of the day as Charlie Wyke and Max Power lose out on Sunderland return after Aiden McGeady and Ross Stewart goals
And Sunderland are set to welcome back three familiar faces to Wearside as Wigan Athletic travel north.
Former Cats striker Charlie Wyke – who netted 31 goals in all competitions last season – is set for a reunion with Lee Johnson, alongside ex-captain Max Power and former loanee Jordan Jones.
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Hide AdSunderland, however, look set to be boosted by the return of Aiden McGeady after he missed pre-season games against Harrogate Town and Hull City.
The Black Cats will also welcome fans back to the Stadium of Light without capacity restrictions for the first time since March 2020.
Here, though, Echo writers Phil Smith, Joe Nicholson and James Copley will be bringing you live coverage throughout the day plus minute-by-minute updates of the action as Sunderland look to start the League One season with a win.
Sunderland 2-1 Wigan Athletic
Key Events
- Sunderland face Wigan Athletic at the Stadium of Light this afternoon (3pm kick-off)
- SAFC XI: Burge, Winchester, Neil, Doyle, Flanagan, Evans, Embleton, O’Nien, Gooch, McGeady, Stewart
- WAFC XI: Amos, Pearce, Naylor, Whatmough, Edwards, Power, Lang, Long, Darikwa, Keane, Wyke
Sunderland fans are back at the Stadium of Light!
Ther expected to be 37,000 plus fans at the Stadium of Light this afternoon - including 2,000 travelling Wigan Athletic supporters.
The latest odds have dropped!
Sunderland 13/10
Draw 11/5
Wigan 9/4
Ross Stewart to score first 11/2
Both teams to score 8/11
Sunderland to win the League One title 6/1
All odds correct at the time of writing. Over 18s only. Please gamble responsibly and Be Gamble Aware. www.begambleaware.org.
The latest odds have dropped!
Sunderland 13/10
Draw 11/5
Wigan 9/4
Ross Stewart to score first 11/2
Both teams to score 8/11
Sunderland to win the League One title 6/1
All odds correct at the time of writing. Over 18s only. Please gamble responsibly and Be Gamble Aware. www.begambleaware.org.
The Charlie Wyke banter has already started from Sunderland fans...
Wigan are undertaking shooting practice in front of the Roker End with Charlie Wyke stepping up to take a shot on goal.... he gets ooooooooohhhhhhs from the crows before scoring past the keeper.
Let’s hope he misses during today’s match!
Max Power is given a sarcastic cheer as he misses the target!
Great to see Sunderland fans back at the Stadium of Light.
1 - We’re underway at the Stadium of Light!
The game has kicked off after a 15-minute delay due to roadworks.
Sunderland fans are taking centre stage after 518 days of restrictions to attendances.
But Wigan have an early free-kick which is collected by Burge, Sunderland look to break and win a throw in.
4 - CHANCE
Aiden McGeady gets down the left but can’t find Ross Stewart, Wigan come up the other end and win a corner... after several Latics touches in the box, Gooch manages to win a free-kick and ease the early pressure