Sunderland defender John O'Shea has called on his teammates to be positive ahead of Tuesday's visit of Reading in the Premier League.

The Black Cats go into the game at the Stadium of Light four points ahead of their opponents in the relegation zone.

"The league doesn't end after the Reading game, fortunately," said O'Shea. "We know it's a massive game, every game at home now is going to be a massive game.

"We have to show the belief and the confidence we have shown in the second-half performances and the way we have taken the games to the opposition.

"But we have to do that from the start and not just wait for a goal to be conceded to show that reaction. We need to show that beforehand rather than a reaction."

O'Shea is a doubt for the match after he picked up a calf strain during Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Chelsea.

Written by
Jack Prescott