Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio has assured the club's supporters that they should not be alarmed by the sweeping changes he is making to the team.

The Italian insisted that the crop of new players he has brought in will wear the Sunderland shirt with pride, or be shown the door.

"I can only tell the fans one thing, which is to relax," he told the club's website. "We are going to build a very good team with a very good work ethic, which is crucial.

"The players I select will always wear the shirt with honour, dignity and respect, otherwise they can't play under me. Win, lose or draw, they have to be proud.

"The fans need to relax because the start of the season will be very hard."

Di Canio has already brought in six players since taking over from Martin O'Neill in March, and is on the brink of adding AZ Alkmaar striker Jozy Altidore to his squad.

Written by
Mark Langshaw