Sunderland record signing Asamoah Gyan will make his first start for Sunderland in their Carling Cup third-round clash with West Ham on Wednesday.
The Ghana international, a £13million-plus summer signing from Rennes, will be included in the starting line-up as manager Steve Bruce attempts to build up his match sharpness.
Bruce said: "Asamoah Gyan will play because it is the right sort of game for him and he needs as much physical work into him as possible.
"We will use the cup competition for him to start his first game because he needs the physical work."
Gyan announced his arrival in English football with a goal on his debut as a substitute in the 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at Wigan last weekend.
He might have added to his tally when he was presented with a promising opening after again coming off the bench against Arsenal, but headed straight at Gunners goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.
The Black Cats were trailing to Cesc Fabregas' first-half fluke at the time and it was left to Darren Bent to snatch a point with a 95th-minute equaliser.