DESPITE an increased threat of League One football, defender John O’Shea is adamant Sunderland are still a very attractive proposition for anyone exploring ways of buying out Ellis Short.

The future ownership of the club has been put in the spotlight in recent days after it emerged former striker Niall Quinn has had contact with a consortium considering a move - albeit months ago.

Such a takeover still seems a million miles away, while Quinn has also cooled any sense of excitement and anticipation among the club’s supporters because sources close to him claim any involvement going forward would be purely in an advisory capacity.

The Irishman is not looking to lead any takeover like he did 12 years ago when the Drumaville Consortium bought out Sir Bobby Murray, nor is he looking to get involved with the backroom team.

Nevertheless, though, The Northern Echo understands there has been plenty of interest from elsewhere in taking control, although the situation the club finds itself in at the foot of the Championship has left potential investors keen to wait and see where the land lies before stepping up tentative interest.

O’Shea, who moved to the North-East from Manchester United seven years ago this summer, is not surprised there are interested parties weighing up whether to make a move for Short’s stake in the club – despite debts that were last recorded at £110m last April.

O’Shea said: “It's looking like something needs to change on and off the pitch. Hopefully whatever does happen, happens quickly. With things like that, they can fester on.

“It (selling the club) is not an easy thing to bring about quickly but it will be better for everyone involved if something happens. The worst thing is not being sure.

“If someone were to buy the club, they would soon know when they get in here and witness the stuff behind the scenes and what could be going on the potential it has. Some of the figures I see bandied around for others clubs, I'm thinking someone will be getting a good buy, that's for sure.”

Sunderland are five points adrift of safety with eight matches to go, but O’Shea remains clear in his belief the club is capable of being in a far greater state than it is.

The Irishman was given a reminder again when the whole squad travelled to Peterlee for a tour of the Caterpillar (UK) plant yesterday.

The company has a strong connection with the club, and has dedicated an entire section of the building to Sunderland’s Foundation of Light charity. A corridor has been designed to replicate walking out of the tunnel at the Stadium of Light.

O’Shea said: “It's a reminder of how big a club it is. My dad worked at Waterford Crystal all his life and that's a massive factory where I'm from. It became a worldwide product too, so it's very similar to Caterpillar.

“Coming here reminded me of when I'd go in to see where my dad worked on the factory floor. You hear people shouting and some of them giving you a bit of grief and that's something we have to remind ourselves of.

“The traditions of this club are important. The Foundation is something the club should be proud of going forward and to have a relationship with a worldwide brand is very important.

“When you've been at the club as long as I have you're aware of the responsibility on your shoulders when it comes to the supporters. It should be part and parcel of it, knowing the responsibility, but it's good to reinforce it when you come to places like this.”

O’Shea is 36 and has played more games this season than he had envisaged at the start of the campaign; he is a key part of Chris Coleman’s attempts to lift Sunderland clear of trouble.

With every passing game the chances of staying up reduce but positive results against Derby on Good Friday and Sheffield Wednesday on Monday would change the outlook.

O’Shea, part of previous escapology acts, said: “We've been able to produce a run in the past but we haven't yet this season – we've got a win, then lost three. We need to get a win, then back it up with a draw, a win. The good thing is we have the games to do it but we haven't been able to do it all season so now's the perfect time to put that right.

“It gives you a bit of a lift when you see the passion people have for our club, not just in workplaces like this at Caterpillar but in the away end at Derby on Friday as well.

“We know, particularly when we're playing at home, the first goal is crucial and that's something we have to make sure we do. It's difficult when the first goal goes against you.

“We've got to make sure we're staying in the game first and foremost then get that first goal because that's when the momentum the passion our supporters can give you can swing your way."

O’Shea, speaking from inside the factory where he met some season lifelong season ticket holders, is in no mood to give up – knowing brighter times could be just around the corner.

He said: “You have to absorb the defeats, it's not nice. Then you have to quickly go again, analyse it and look for the next game as soon as you can. In the Championship the next game comes around so quickly so you have to move on quickly but it's not nice when you've been beaten. You want to be winning. That's what we're in the game for.

“It makes you sick when you lose. But we're clinging to the fact we still have the chance to get on a run. It's in our hands, it's going to be difficult but it's in our hands.”