Sunderland defender John O'Shea has revealed that there is a renewed enthusiasm at the club since the arrival of manager Paolo Di Canio.

Di Canio replaced Martin O'Neill at the end of March with Sunderland struggling at the bottom end of the Premier League table, and O'Shea believes that he has witnessed a change in the mood at the Stadium of Light.

The 31-year-old told The Guardian: "It's a fresh chance for everyone, including those who weren't in the team. The younger lads especially are enjoying it more. Everyone's buying into it.

"We're working a lot without the ball, on positioning, shape and pattern. The manager is very clued-in as to what is needed to get this team to survive and we're doing all we can on the training pitch to make sure we do."

Sunderland will be hoping to take a step towards avoid relegation with victory against Newcastle United in the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday.