Sunderland youngster Mikael Mandron is excited to be playing for manager Paolo di Canio.

Mandron feels he's benefited from the Italian's guiding hand.

"He's [Paolo Di Canio] been great, he's trying to coach me and make me improve and me develop in training," Mandron, who hails from just outside Paris, told safc.com.

"I think it's great how he treats everyone the same, the young ones, the older ones - he's trying to make everyone improve and get everyone involved.

"The way he does things he makes you feel like you are part of the group.

"He gave me my chance twice and I'm very pleased with that and I've got to thank him for that.

"He gives a lot of tips and advice in terms of positioning, movement and how to attack the space, how to attack the box and how to cross and get away from your defender and things like that."