Sunderland captain John O'Shea has admitted that the team need to find some more consistency between now and the end of the season.

The Black Cats are 15th in the Premier League table and are just five points above the relegation zone.

To ensure that they retain their status in the top flight, 31-year-old O'Shea has stressed the importance of the club being able to string a few positive results together.

"Consistency is the big thing we have to get back here," he told the Northern Echo. "We are consistent about being inconsistent at the minute and that's something we have to change.

"There's a lot of things you can do during the week to improve your chances of becoming more consistent. Taking that first chance in the game, stopping that striker for the first time in a game."

Next up for the Mackems is a home match against Fulham on Saturday afternoon.