Wes Brown accepts he faces a battle to claim a place at centre-half with Sunderland.

Despite his reputation, Brown is taking nothing for granted.

Brown told the Sunderland Echo: "We've made good signings at centre-half.

"I've seen them play and trained with them so it's going to be good competition, but I've always said that you need that. They are good lads as well, so we help each other and watch how each other plays.

"Whoever plays, the others will try to support him in any way whatsoever."