Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has insisted that captain John O'Shea can step up and lead the club to Premier League survival.
The 33-year-old has been ever present for the Black Cats this season, playing every minute of his side's 30 games in all competitions.
Though their four-match unbeaten run came to an end in Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at the hands of Queens Park Rangers, Poyet believes that his side is ready to move away from the relegation zone. under O'Shea's leadership.
"For me, always the skipper in all my teams is an important player," Poyet told reporters. "Key players, they need to understand most of the thing - and I am not just talking about the game itself, the way of representing the team, the link, the one who answers questions, the one leading by example."
"There are so many things the skipper needs to do apart from playing well and being at his best. He's a good captain. It was an easy decision to extend his contract. There are certain things with certain players that are easy and clear.
"How long he can play and if he is going to beat every single record playing 90 minutes in every game, I don't know, but the idea is to make sure he is feeling well. We need him because he is very good."
O'Shea joined Sunderland in 2011 after spending 12 years with Manchester United, where he won five Premier League titles and a Champions League.
Joe Sharratt
