O'Neill spoiled for choice with skippers (From The Northern Echo)

O'Neill spoiled for choice with skippers

8:00am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Sport By Scott Wilson

WHEN it comes to the issue of captains, Fabio Capello must wish he was more like Martin O'Neill. While the England manager is furious to find himself without a leader following John Terry's demotion, Sunderland's boss is blessed with two stand-out skippers vying for the right to wear the armband.

The first, Lee Cattermole, has been exemplary in the last month or so, leading by example from the heart of midfield and tempering some of his more explosive instincts in order to eradicate the disciplinary problems that plagued him at the start of the campaign.

This evening however, when Sunderland take on North-East rivals Middlesbrough in an FA Cup fourth-round replay, Cattermole will be absent nursing the hamstring injury that kept him out of the original tie and that will again deny him the opportunity to line up against his hometown club.

Will his leadership be missed? It is unlikely. In Cattermole's absence during the last three matches, John O'Shea has led Sunderland with a poise and assurance that has impressed and inspired those around him.

The former Manchester United defender took time to settle at the Stadium of Light, perhaps understandable given the length of time he had spent at Old Trafford, but since being switched to centre-half by O'Neill, his performances have improved markedly.

His impact off the field has been equally influential, and while he will not retain the armband once Cattermole returns to full fitness, he is a more-than-decent alternative to have in reserve.

"I have two captains," said O'Neill. "When Lee is fit and available and back in the team, he will become captain again. John is a different type altogether, but he is doing very, very well.

"His whole demeanour around the place has been very helpful indeed. His willingness to help the younger lads is important, they can

approach him. There are no airs and graces about him and he's been very helpful in the dressing room.

"No matter who you've played for, you still need to come in and start off well at a football club and play with confidence. For whatever reason, perhaps his confidence was a bit low (earlier in the season). He had a few injuries to contend with and that is definitely off putting. You don't feel as if you're absolutely right.

"But he has done very well at centre-half. Both John and Wes (Brown) have been really terrific. Of course we're going to concede goals, but we've done very well in that aspect recently."

Sunderland haven't exactly been struggling at the other end of the field either given that their 12 matches under O'Neill have brought 20 goals.

The tally is all the more remarkable given the injuries that have kept Nicklas Bendtner and Connor Wickham on the sidelines for large periods, although both Stephane Sessegnon and James McClean have emerged as potent attacking threats.

Bendtner will not be considered for tonight's game and is ineligible for Saturday's league meeting with his parent club, Arsenal, but the Dane will be fitted with a protective face mask in the next few days that should enable him to return to full training.

Wickham is available for the trip to the Riverside, but having rested Fraizer Campbell during Saturday's 1-0 win over Stoke, O'Neill is poised to recall the striker who scored in the original tie to force a replay.

"I was guided by the medical team at the weekend, although maybe I listen to them a bit too much," said O'Neill. "If medical teams had their own way, I don't think any player up and down the country would ever play a game.

"I accept we have to be careful with Fraizer and the last thing we want to do is set him back. He's flying though and is full of adrenaline. We're all absolutely delighted that he's come back so well."

Given the depth of Middlesbrough's injury problems, Sunderland will start as firm favourites tonight even though they are the away side.

The carrot of a fifth-round home tie with Arsenal awaits, but having been surprised by Middlesbrough's physicality in the first game, O'Neill is not expecting an easy ride this evening.

"I didn't expect the (first) game to be as physical, but they (Boro) didn't surprise me in terms of their ability to play. It was always going to be a difficult game and that's why this match is very much in the balance.

"I don't know what their approach will be, but I'm sure they will feel they have a really good chance. We will feel the same, but it's a game that could easily go either way."