Asamoah Gyan will make his full league debut for Sunderland against Stoke on Saturday, manager Steve Bruce has confirmed.
Gyan joined the club in August from French side Rennes after impressing at the World Cup which prompted his record move.
But he is yet to make his full debut in the Premier League since arriving from the French top-flight.
The 24-year-old Ghanaian international has made seven substitute appearances plus a start in the Carling Cup, scoring two goals.
And now Bruce is set to partner the World Cup quarter-finalist with leading scorer Darren Bent when the Potters visit the Stadium of Light  this weekend.
"Gyan will play," he confirmed.
"He has waited patiently for his chance and now is the right time.
"He is a big player. We've let him gently bed in and get used to being here, and it's about time we unleashed him and see what he's got."