Asamoah Gyan will make his first start for Sunderland in Tuesday night's Carling Cup clash against West Ham.

The Ghana striker has come off the bench in two premiership games for the Black Cats since his record signing from Rennes in the summer. Gyan scored a goal on his debut as a substitute in the 1-1 Premier League draw at Wigan.

And manager Steve Bruce will attempt to build up his new striker's match sharpness by including him in the starting XI for the third-round cup encounter.

"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," said Bruce.

"We will use the cup competition for him to start his first game because he needs the physical work."