Sunderland boss Paolo di Canio feels he and Newcastle United's Alan Pardew are kindred spirits.

Di Canio takes Sunderland to Newcastle this weekend.

"Alan Pardew sent me a letter already this week to wish me the best of luck for the future - apart from in the derby, of course!" Di Canio told the Shields Gazette. "My answer was very gentle, but the last line about the derby was very similar to his!

"Alan Pardew is a passionate man. I like him, we don't have to fight. We saw him celebrate with the fans when Newcastle scored a late winner in the last game against Fulham at the weekend.

"When I used to do this in League Two at Swindon, people said: 'he can't do this - he's mad'. But why can't I, or Alan Pardew, celebrate a goal? As long as you don't do anything against the other team, it's fine."