Sunderland star Stephane Sessegnon has heaped praise on midfield duo Jack Colback and Craig Gardner.

The pair have worked their way into Martin O'Neill's calculations recently and their impact has not gone unnoticed by Sessegnon who has been pushed into a more advanced role in the past few months.

"Jack and Craig always work very hard for the team and are important for the forward players," he told the Evening Chronicle.

"Defensively they have been really good for us in closing down the opposition players and tackling hard.

"But also they are both contributing going forward. They are good passers and are a goal threat too.

"Jack scored a great goal at Middlesbrough and Craig has got a few for us this season as well. They are players who have a lot of spirit and can continue to improve because they have the right mentality to win games."

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