Line-ups confirmed for Bristol City vs Sunderland: Two key changes for Championship clash

Liam Manning has made two changes to his Bristol City side that were defeated by Blackburn Rovers in midweek, as Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Anis Mehmeti come into the team that hosts Sunderland.

Joe Williams and Sam Bell drop to the bench as the Robins go in search to end their four-game winless run.

But, they will face no easy task against the Black Cats. Despite an up-and-down season results-wise, Sunderland have won their last two - including a victory against Premier League hopefuls Leeds United on Tuesday night.

City will have to be on their game if the home side are to earn all three points, and the manager names the same back four that were narrowly beaten at Ewood Park.

Max O'Leary continues his record of playing every minute for City this season, while George Tanner, Zak Vyner, Rob Dickie and Cam Pring make up the backline.

Matty James will sit in front of the defence, with Gardner-Hickman and Jason Knight just in front of the veteran.

Mark Sykes will be eager to add to his goal against Rovers from the right-hand side, while Tommy Conway retains his spot up top and Mehmeti comes in on the left wing.

Striker Nahki Wells is fit enough for a place among the substitutes after missing 10 matches with an ankle problem.

Bristol City XI: Max O'Leary, George Tanner, Zak Vyner, Rob Dickie, Cam Pring, Matty James, Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Jason Knight, Mark Sykes, Tommy Conway, Anis Mehmeti.

Substitutes: Stefan Bajic, Joe Williams, Harry Cornick, Andreas Weimann, Sam Bell, Nahki Wells, Jamie Knight-Lebel, Ephraim Yeboah.

Sunderland XI: Anthony Patterson, Niall Huggins, Daniel Ballard, Patrick Roberts, Luke O'Nien, Abdoullah Ba, Jack Clarke, Alex Pritchard, Daniel Neil, Trai Hume, Pierre Ekwah.

Substitutes: Nathan Bishop, Jobe Bellingham, Mason Burstow, Eliezer Mayenda, Nazariy Rusyn, Adil Aouchiche, Jenson Seelt, Nectarios Triantis, Bradley Dack.