Clint Dempsey lined up for Fulham for his first Barclays Premier League start since his loan move from Seattle Sounders in the Craven Cottage clash with Sunderland.
The United States forward is in his second stint at the club and bolstered Fulham's attacking options against the Black Cats, with Adel Taarabt in behind lone frontman Dimitar Berbatov.
Neither captain Brede Hangeland nor goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg were fit to return for Rene Meulensteen's side.
Steven Fletcher retained his place in Sunderland's starting XI, with manager Gus Poyet making just two changes from Tuesday's 2-1 Capital One Cup victory over Manchester United at the Stadium of Light. Adam Johnson replaced Emmanuelle Giaccherini and Jack Colback slotted in for Sebastian Larsson.
Fulham: Stockdale, Riether, Senderos, Amorebieta, Riise, Parker, Sidwell, Duff, Dempsey, Taarabt, Berbatov. Subs: Kasami, Kacaniklic, Richardson, Hughes, Dejagah, Etheridge, Bent.
Sunderland: Mannone, Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Alonso, Ki, Cattermole, Colback, Johnson, Fletcher, Borini. Subs: Larsson, Gardner, Celustka, Pickford, Altidore, Giaccherini, Ji.
