Former Swindon chairman Jeremy Wray is convinced Paolo di Canio will be a big hit at Sunderland.

Di Canio faces a fight to keep Sunderland in the top flight but Wray believes the former West Ham, Lazio and Celtic striker will be a roaring success on Wearside.

"He will galvanise the team," said Wray, who appointed Di Canio as Swindon manager in 2011. "He is passionate; he eats, sleeps and drinks it. He is full-on 24 hours a day and will be focused on the last seven games of the season.

"The Sunderland fans who are nervous now and are doubting the appointment should have no fears and trust what I saw in him is what (Sunderland chairman) Ellis Short will have seen in him as someone who is committed to the job."

Wray added: "There was no doubt that when he was at Swindon he was cutting his teeth in management, but I can assure you I think he's ready for the step up.

"He's learnt a lot, he's very intelligent, he's a quick learner and he's his own biggest critic.

"He'll have seen where he's gone wrong in the past and I think it's a really astute appointment."