'Best lineup this season!': Sunderland fans react as Jack Ross handed major boost ahead of Bradford
The Black Cats' top scorer missed the defeat to Portsmouth after suffering from illness, but has recovered in time to face the Bantams.
Also returning is Tom Flanagan, who starts at centre back after bouncing back from a knock, and Charlie Wyke - who is in the squad after a long-term knee injury.
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Hide AdAlso handed starts are Chris Maguire and Bryan Oviedo, with the quartet replacing Glenn Loovens, Duncan Watmore, Reece James and George Honeyman.
Honeyman, the Sunderland skipper, has an ankle injury and misses the game.
Here's the best of the reaction from social media to the team news:
@erichyun0775 tweeted: "That’s more like it"
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Hide Ad@safc_jim said: "Great to see Flanagan and Maja back in the starting 11 and Wyke back on the bench"
@JoeDB_ added: "Best lineup this season yess"
@safcno1ne commented: "3 strikers on the bench if you class watmore. Definitely got the right idea in my opinion"
@PaulWel12911309 posted: "Strong squad today"
@R1KNA agreed, saying: "Best side he can pick today!"
@DomKnii joked: "love a 7-0 win on boxing day like"
@RamseySAFC tweeted: "2 in midfield, no McGeouch again."
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Hide Ad@chubfubbler added: "Couldn't really pick a better starting 11 from what we have available and players just coming back from injuries. It's all on the players today Jack Ross has set this up for the 3 points!"
And here's the teams in full from the Stadium of Light:
Sunderland XI: McLaughlin, Flanagan, Baldwin, Oviedo, O'Nien, Cattermole, Power, Gooch, Maguire, McGeady, Maja
Sunderland subs: Ruiter, Ozturk, McGeouch, Wyke, Watmore, James, Sinclair
Bradford City XI: O'Donnell, Chicksen, McGowan, Doyle, Payne, Miller, Akpan, Knight-Percival, Caddis, L O'Brien, Ball
Bradford City subs: Wilson, J O'Brien, O'Connor, Bruenker, Wood, Devine, Goldthorp