Sunderland caretaker boss Kevin Ball is happy for his players to crack a smile in training.

Ball has taken charge after the dismissal of Paolo di Canio.

Ball, who will be in charge for Sunday's home game against Liverpool, said: "It's a happy camp. But I like them to work extremely hard.

"I'm one who would say, 'Listen, there's a time and a place to have a laugh and a joke but there's also a time to be serious'.

"If it's their time and they want to have a bit of a laugh, I'll let them do it. If it's my time and they want to have a laugh and it feels right, I'll let them."