Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill is optimistic that the club can hang on to star names such as Stephane Sessegnon and James McClean.

Both players have been integral to Sunderland's turnaround under O'Neill and thus have been linked with moves away from the Stadium of Light.

However, the Irishman is confident that they can fend off interest in the duo and keep them on Wearside for the foreseeable future.

"These are the type of players we need to keep at the football club. If we are going to progress, these are the players the fans want to see, the likes of McClean and Sessegnon," O'Neill told the Shields Gazette.

"Sessegnon is a bit older, and I think he has improved. He's a very accomplished player in a lot of positions, but we've given him a position where he can work wonders for us.

"We've just given a new contract to James who is worth every single penny out of it, there's no question about that. If I was advising him, his immediate future has to be at our football club."

Benin international Sessegnon has recently been linked with a move to Arsenal.