Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris _(Image: Cody Froggatt)_
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REGIS LE BRIS has made two changes to his Sunderland side for this afternoon's Premier League game at Chelsea, with Lutsharel Geertruida coming into the side to make his first [Black Cats](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland?ref=au) start.
Geertruida, who is on loan at Sunderland from German club RB Leipzig, comes into the starting line-up for the first time, with his four previous appearances all having come as a substitute.
The promotion of the Dutchman to the starting side is one of two changes made by Regis Le Bris, with Reinildo Mandava immediately restored to the starting XI following the completion of the three-match ban that was imposed for his red card against Aston Villa.
Omar Alderete is unavailable because of concussion protocols, with Chris Rigg the other player to drop out of the XI that started last weekend's home win over Wolves.
It remains to be seen what formation Sunderland line up in this afternoon. The presence of Geertruida, Dan Ballard and Nordi Mukiele means Le Bris could start with a back five, with Trai Hume and Reinildo in the wing-back berths.
However, Geertruida has also played as a defensive midfielder during his substitute outings, so he could be positioned alongside Granit Xhaka to beef up the Sunderland midfield.
_SUNDERLAND (4-3-3): Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Reinildo; Geertruida, Xhaka, Sadiki; Traore, Isidor, Le Fee._
_Subs: Patterson, Neil, O'Nien, Talbi, Rigg, Brobbey, Mayenda, Jones, Masuaku.
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