Who Will Be Sunderland's Defensive Duo This Season?

John O'Shea is relishing the defensive competition this season, despite his own starting spot coming under increasing threat following new arrivals and the emergence of an academy star. The 34-year-old captain is in a battle to start against Leicester on the opening day after Sunderland snapped up loanee Seb Coates on a permanent deal and Younes Kaboul for around £3 million from Spurs, while Wes Brown has signed a contract extension and youngster Tom Beadling travelled with the side on their North American tour. It remains to be seen who will be Dick Advocaat's chosen duo in the heart of the defence, but it's not the worst position to be in, with O'Shea excited at the jostling for a place. He told the Shields Gazette: €œThere€™s a lot of competition in defence now and that€™s what we€™re looking for throughout the whole team. That€™s how you get success. I€™ve had that practically all my career and that€™s how teams get better. €œYou need people constantly fighting for places and fighting to stay in that XI. Hopefully that€™s how we get better results. It€™s a manager€™s dream." Kaboul is expected to partner O'Shea in defence against Doncaster on Wednesday night in his Sunderland debut, with Coates still regaining fitness after a late summer break due to the Copa America tournament, but it will be interesting to see who shuffles their way to the front of the pack after a few weeks of the new season.