Sunderland 2 Middlesbrough 0: Highlights after Ross Stewart and Amad Diallo goals plus Dael Fry red card

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Sunderland’s Championship fixture against Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats will be looking to bounce back following last weekend’s 3-1 defeat against Swansea, yet it won’t be easy against a side who have won seven of their last eight league games.

We’ll have all of 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.

With just over a week to go until the end of the transfer window, Sunderland are still yet to make a signing this month.

Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray said on Thursday the club remain confident of announcing some ‘young, exciting signings’ before the end of the month - while also warning the club may still be active on deadline day.

The Black Cats are still looking to sign another midfielder in the coming weeks, following Jay Matete’s loan move to Plymouth, and have reportedly been tracking West Ham youngster Pierre Ekwah who could be available on loan.

Sunderland are also looking to bolster their striker options, ideally signing a young striker on a permanent deal who can develop over time.

Genk striker Andras Nemeth, who will be out of contract this summer, is a name which has been mentioned, yet it’s not clear whether his club will sanction a January move.

Sunderland are also still monitoring Ellis Simms’ situation at Everton after the striker was abruptly recalled from his loan spell on Wearside.

Mowbray also confirmed on Thursday he will still be without several first-team players, and has a lack of options at the back.

Dennis Cirkin (hip), Aji Alese (ankle) and Alex Pritchard (calf) are all expected to miss the game, while Elliot Embleton remains out with a long-term setback.

Luke O’Nien is also suspended following his red card against Swansea last weekend.

Boro will be without first-choice centre-back Darragh Lenihan due to a foot injury.

Here’s what Mowbray had to say about his former club Middlesbrough and their head coach Michael Carrick:

“Middlesbrough have brought Michael in who has spent a long period of career under arguably the greatest coach in the modern era of football.

“When I speak to him he is very calm, very methodical, knows what he wants to do and how he wants his team to play. I think he brings a lot of emotional intelligence to the job.

“I wish them well but we are in a competition with them and I’m hoping that we can beat them and finish above them and compete all season with them.

“He just seems to me a really good guy and I wish him well.

“I want that club to do well because that’s where I’m from and where I grew up but not at the expense of this club where I work everyday and interact with the players and the supporters.

“I’m looking forward to a good game.”

Since the appointment of Michael Carrick at the Riverside back in October, Boro have won eight of their 11 league games to put themselves back in play-off contention.

To find out more, we caught up with Boro writer Craig Johns on the latest episode of The Roar Podcast.

You can listen to the full episode here

Here’s what he said when asked about Carrick’s influence:

“In terms of style, Chris Wilder the previous manager had a very clear style that was similar to the style he had with his success at Sheffield United, with that flat back three and attacking wing-backs.

“Before Carrick came in they had a five game period where Leo Percovich was in interim charge and he reverted back to a four-man defence which Michal Carrick has kept.

“He’s put his own touches to that and it’s a very fluid system but I think the big thing as to why it’s changed so much, bearing in mind Boro were 21st in the Championship when Carrick was appointed, has just been the belief and confidence around the place.

“By the end of Chris Wilder’s tenure at Middlesbrough there was a lot going on behind the scenes and a lot of division within the club and that filtered onto the pitch.

“Michael Carrick has come in and been a breath of fresh air, so positive but also so calm and composed.”

Here’s what Carrick had to say about Sunderland and Black Cats playmaker Amad, who he knows from Manchester United.

“Sunderland are a very good team and have a very good forward line.

“I know Amad very well from United. He’s a terrific footballer and seems to have jumped up a level again from the start of the season. His performances have improved and he is a threat.

“Not just Amad though, right across the frontline Sunderland have really good individuals who can change games at any moment and cause you problems. That’s why they’re up there at the moment and they are a danger.

“That’s a challenge, of course, but it’s one we’re ready for and we’re looking forward to the game.”

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

Predicted Sunderland XI: Patterson, Hume, Ballard, Batth, Gooch, Evans, Neil, Roberts, Amad, Clarke, Stewart

Predicted Middlesbrough XI: Steffen, Smith, Fry, McNair, Giles, Howson, Hackney, McGree, Akpom, Forss, Archer

“Middlesbrough have been in fantastic form recently with four wins in a row in the league, so we’re expecting a tough game.

“We’re well prepared and we know that we can be a match for anyone in this division – it’s a big test, but one that we’re looking forward to.

“The reverse fixture at the Riverside was difficult for us after losing Ross Stewart in the warm-up and having to change formation minutes before kick-off.

“We have a number of injuries now and once we get those players back, I’m confident we can really push on in the second half of the season.”