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
82 - Sunderland trying to manage the game
Sunderland are trying to manage the game as Wigan probe for an equaliser. No direct goal threats as of yet but there’s still eight mins to go.
86 - Wright on for Embleton
Wright replaces Embleton as Sunderland look to hold onto the lead, a little under four mins plus stoppages coming up
90 - Wigan handed lifeline
Wigan have been handed a lifeline with SIX minutes of added time at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland lead 2-1.
90 - Wigan have the ball in the net
Wigan have the ball in Sunderland’s net but the referee hadn’t given the go-ahead to restart the game. Not much time left on Wearside now....