Kevin Ball has said that he wants Sunderland's players to maintain their high levels of discipline.

Ball was appointed as the caretaker-manager at the Black Cats following Paolo Di Canio's dismissal last week.

"The players are professional and know in terms [of] discipline whether I'm in charge long or short term, we're disciplined and work hard and I won't tolerate things we feel are unacceptable," FourFourTwo quotes the 48-year-old as saying.

"The players are aware of that, so there's not a great deal of change. Do I like a laugh on the training ground? Yes, but there's a time and a place.

"If I felt somebody was not doing things right, I'd speak to them about it. Training's there for a reason, it's not there to mess about."

Sunderland play their first Premier League game since the Italian's departure against Liverpool tomorrow.