Sunderland defender John O'Shea has insisted that his side's cup runs have not distracted the players from their Premier League target of avoiding relegation.
The Black Cats will take on Manchester City in the League Cup final on Sunday and have also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
However, Gus Poyet's team are currently third from bottom in the league table with 24 points from 26 matches.
"This season, for Sunderland, we're in the final of one and the quarter-final of the FA Cup with a good chance to progress to a semi-final," the Daily Star quotes the 32-year-old as saying.
"Ideally, we'd like to be that bit higher in the league. People are asking if the cup runs will distract us. I can't see how they will, because everyone knows how important it is to stay in the Premier League. But if you have the chance to win a major trophy along with it, you have to take it.
"You just have to look at Sunderland's history of reaching finals. You soon realise they're treasured moments, so you have to really embrace it. But you enjoy the day by winning the trophy – and it would be an incredible way for me to celebrate my 100th game."
O'Shea joined Sunderland from Manchester United in 2011.
Subhankar Mondal
