Jack Rodwell has insisted that he would have no problem if manager Sam Allardyce asked him to play at centre-back for Sunderland in the future.

The 24-year-old has spent much of his senior career with Everton, Manchester City and the Black Cats operating in the centre of midfield.

However, having also featured as a defender in his youth, Rodwell has conceded that it is inevitable he will end up dropping back at some stage.

"For some reason, when I made my debut [at Everton] I just played in central midfield and it went from there. I'll play at the back again though, no problem," The Mirror quotes the three-capped England international as saying.

"Our back three have been solid, but if the manager asked me to play there, I think it would be natural for me.

"I think it'll be a natural transition for me, although I'm not really sure when it will happen. It could be three years, or it could be three weeks' time if someone gets an injury. It's so hard to say, but I think there's an inevitability about it happening somewhere down the line."

Rodwell joined the Wearsiders from Man City for a reported £10m in August 2014.