Connor Wickham has been selected for Martin O'Neill's first match as manager of Sunderland
The striker was not expected to return until after Christmas, but he replaces the injured Nicklas Bendtner in the starting lineup.
Visiting Blackburn Rovers have David Dunn available after suspension, while Yakubu will play as a lone forward.
Sunderland: Westwood; Bardsley, Brown, Bramble, O'Shea; Larsson, Vaughan, Colback, Richardson; Sessegnon; Wickham.
Blackburn: Robinson; Salgado, Samba, Dann, Givet; Formica, Dunn, Lowe, Pederson; Vuckevic; Yakubu.
