O'Shea sets sights on cup run

John O'Shea is hoping derby victory could set Sunderland on the way to FA Cup glory.

The former Manchester United defender will take his place in the Black Cats' back four on Sunday, hoping to continue their run of fine form with a fourth-round victory over neighbours Middlesbrough.

While O'Shea will take nothing for granted as Tony Mowbray's men arrive on Wearside looking for a Barclays Premier League scalp, he knows a place in the fifth-round draw would hand them a genuine chance of an extended run in a competition which brought him a winners' medal in 2004.

The 30-year-old said: "They are the games you play football for, whether it be the cup of the league. It's one that we are looking forward to - one of the players in the team in particular is making sure everyone is on the ball for that game.

"I wouldn't say you are relaxed as such because a derby situation is added spice to the cup factor, and also you want to keep your good run going as well.

"Some big teams have been drawn against each other again, and if you are in the hat for the next round, you never know, you could get that bit of luck as well and the next thing, you are thinking about bigger aspirations in the cup."