Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has praised the intensity of the Tyne-Wear derby ahead of Sunday's encounter with Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light.

O'Neill, who will experience the fixture for only the second time this weekend, has compared the rivalry to the Old Firm derbies that he took part in while in charge of Celtic.

"I have been involved in quite a number of derby games, hardly that many bigger than the Glasgow ones between Celtic and Rangers, but for intensity, this is up there with any of them," he told reporters.

"I like the intensity of the games, as long as it doesn't go overboard, that's an important aspect to derby matches."

Sunderland are currently 13th in the Premier League table, while Newcastle occupy 10th place.