O’Shea confident Sunderland can cope in January

John O’Shea insists Sunderland have the required strength in depth to cope when their squad is tested in January.

The Black Cats have a long injury list and will also lose Lamine Kone, Didier Ndong and Wahbi Khazri to international duty at the African Cup of Nations.

David Moyes has hinted at recruiting new faces in the transfer window to cope but Sunderland impressed in earning a 2-2 draw with Liverpool last time out.

And club captain O’Shea is confident his side are on the right track in their bid to beat the drop.

“Hopefully we can get a bit of help in,” he said. “The injuries are tough but the other guys have to step up and take responsibility.

“Didier was fantastic, we’ll lose him but it was good to see the application he showed for the whole game.

“We’ll lose him for a few weeks, Lamine and Wahbi too.

(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

“But that might mean a chance for some of the younger boys.

“You never know we might get some help too [in the transfer window].”