Carlos Cuellar admits Sunderland boss Paolo di Canio has instantly connected with the players.

Cuellar said the players are delighted to have a boss who is so closely connected with the squad.

He said: "You respect him because he is the manager. We are working together and he is like a player. He feels like one of the squad although you have a lot of respect for him.

"The way he treats us is very good and everyone is happy with him.

"He has made an instant impression. He has come with a fresh mentality, a fresh motivation and he has been in this situation many times before."