O’Shea: One dogfight enough

Sunderland skipper John O’Shea is determined not to find himself involved in a relegation battle next season.

The 33-year-old central defender led the Black Cats to safety last season as they staged an unlikely fightback to drag themselves out of deep trouble and preserve their place in the Barclays Premier League.

A serial winner during his time at Manchester United – he has five league titles to his name – Republic of Ireland international O’Shea admits clinching survival felt almost as good at earning some of the honours he has claimed.