Di Canio takes shot at O’Shea

Paolo Di Canio has claimed Republic of Ireland defender John O’Shea told him “things” about Martin O’Neill when he was appointed Ireland manager.

The Italian, who previously dubbed some of his former Sunderland players as “cowards”, also singled out Lee Cattermole, Phil Bardsley and Steven Fletcher for criticism.

Di Canio believes Sunderland have found themselves deep in another relegation battle partly due to the “weak” mentality of the squad and called his former captain O’Shea two-faced.