Brown featured for Sunderland during the pre-season tour of US and Canada, though was told by manager Mick McCarthy that he needed to gain further first team experience on loan at another club. Brown made a second-half substitute appearance against Liverpool at Anfield on 20 August and later joined Championship side Hull City on loan on 8 September until January. Brown struggled during his time at the KC Stadium however, scoring once against Reading in 13 appearances, and was recalled by Sunderland in November. After three appearances back at Sunderland however, Brown picked up an injury which would sideline him until March, by which time Sunderland looked destined for relegation after a disaster of a season.