SUNDERLAND are set to field a much-changed line-up against City tonight.

The Black Cats put nine players through the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s friendly win at Blackpool.

And new boss Regis Le Bris has revealed it will be an altered side that takes to the field for City’s only home friendly.

“It will be a different team so for the whole group, we share the idea that we want to develop,” the Frenchman told Sunderland’s club website.

“It’s another part of the group with the same ideas, another problem with another team so we will see and I hope we will be able to make another step forward.

“The team wants to learn and that is clear during the week and the training sessions.

“But we need more experiences so that with the feedback we can build new ideas and to build the ability to adjust the little details, because that really makes the difference.

“We are now at that stage.”

Former Lorient head coach Le Bris was appointed at the start of the month - replacing Michael Beale, who was sacked in February after just 12 matches in charge.

Sunderland ended last season 16th in the Championship  - 17 points adrift of the play-off places under the caretaker charge of Mike Dodds.

It’s the first of consecutive Valley Parade dates for the Wearsiders, who also “host” Olympique Marseille in BD8 on Saturday because the Stadium of Light pitch is not ready.