Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet has insisted that he will work with the medical team to ensure that defender Wes Brown can remain fit for the campaign.

The former Manchester United player has been plagued by a number of injury woes following a knee problem that he picked up in January last year.

"I respect the medical staff, and when I got here, we had everyone fit which was impressive," Poyet told the Shields Gazette. "I said to them that I'll follow them. If they tell me that Wes needs a rest, then I'll go with them.

"But we talk to the player, and he has a big input into that as well. Whether it's Wes, [Steven] Fletcher or Phil [Bardsley], who have been the ones who've had the problems, it's important to have that communication with them."

After three weeks of full training, Brown competed in two-and-a-half fixtures last week.