Paolo Di Canio defends Sunderland training regime

Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has defended the new intensive training regime that he has introduced at the club.

Di Canio is believed to work his squad hard ahead of their matches, but the Italian claims that it will only have a positive effect on the players.

"I promise that this club will have fewer injuries than it used to," he told the Sunderland Echo.

"We have worked hard on fitness, and fitness levels are all important if you are to maintain quality for long periods of the game and for many games consistently."

The Black Cats return to Premier League action on Saturday when they welcome Arsenal to the Stadium of Light.