McClean to rely on memory

James McClean is hoping a visit to a place where he enjoyed one of his best days last season will help him kick-start his current campaign.

The Republic of Ireland winger has yet to hit the heights he scaled last season and Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill feels his fellow Derryman is suffering from a bout of second-season syndrome.

But the winger, who this week took the unusual step of hiring a minder, Derry City goalkeeper Eugene Ferry, to help him finally settle on Wearside, returns to Stoke’s Britannia Stadium today having scored the winner there last season.