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
7 - CHANCE and SAVE
End to end stuff here as Wigan break and force a save out of Lee Burge, Sunderland manage to break with Gooch down the right hand side but it comes to nothing...
FURIOUS PACE SO FAR
11 - Free-kick to Sunderland
McGeady fires it in from the left but Wigan clear, Sunderland still have it and pump it up to Ross Stewart.
Black Cats just trying to take the sting out of the game with some passes in midfield
14 - Wigan win free-kick
But Sunderland clear once again after a poor delivery, pace of the game as slowed slightly as both teams look to settle.
But Wigan take the lead after hitting the post. 1-0 to the visitors and Sunderland have work to do.
16 - PEN TO SAFC
Ross Stewart wins the penalty for SAFC. McGeady to take! GOAAAAAAAAAL SUNDERLAND LEVEL THE SCORES!
21 - Corner to Sunderland
Sunderland win a corner and it’s Embleton to take.... he whips it in and Ross Stewart directs a header at goal but Amos saves.
23 - multiple chances!
Multiple chances for Winchester, Gooch, Stewart and McGeady on the Wigan goal but the visitors somehow survive!
Sunderland fans are REALLY behind their team at the moment.
35 - Corner and CHANCE
Sunderland win a corner after some decent play by McGeady and Stewart. The ball finds its way to Elliot Embleton but the ball goes over Wigan’s bar and out for a goal kick.
36 - Sunderland pilling on the pressure
Stewart has an effort blocked behind for another corner which comes to nothing but Sunderland build again. Keeping the ball well now.
44 - O’Nien and Power
A funny little moment as Luke O’Nien wins a free-kick for a high boot to the face.
The midfielder throws the ball forward a couple of yards from the incident only for Max Power to kick the ball back to the spot of the original offence
O’Nien responded with a little slap on the cheek of his former teammate.