LUKE UP FOR THE FIGHT IN TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH
BIG FIGHT PREVIEW AS SUNDERLAND SET FOR LUTON SHOWDOWN
Sunderland appear to have the upper hand ahead of this weekend’s promotion battle with Luton - and Luke O’Nien is ready for the fight.
The Black Cats would leapfrog the Hatters into second place with a victory at the Stadium of Light, where a huge crowd is expected to attend the League One fixture.
Luton’s season appeared to suffer a significant blow earlier this week when manager Nathan Jones left the club to join Championship side Stoke City.
That won’t affect Sunderland’s preparations, though, and O’Nien is fully focused on the challenge ahead.
“No not at all,” said O’Nien, 25, when asked if Jones’ departure would impact Sunderland’s approach.
“We approach all games the same with a level head, always do our homework.
“Every game is a big game, we want to go out and put markers down and this game is no different, it’s our biggest game of the season because it’s our next game.
“They are close to us in the league so we want to make sure we go out there and put a good marker down.”
While Jack Ross and his coaching staff are quick to study opponents, O’Nien believes Sunderland should focus on their own qualities, even against the best in the division.
“We always look at the opposition, it can only help you,” said O’Nien.
“It’s important not to look too much because we want to focus on our own qualities, but we always do our homework on the other team, look at their strengths and weaknesses.
“I’ve played against Luton the last few years so I wish their manager all the best at Stoke.
“But no it doesn’t affect the way we approach the game.”
Meanwhile, Sunderland boxer Ward hopes their lighthearted sparring session will help Sunderland land a knockout blow on Luton.
Ward, an undefeated British super bantamweight champion, knows all about the pressures of professional sport and is currently preparing for a world title fight against American boxer Jesse Fernandez in Kansas on February 5.
And West Rainton-based Ward believes O’Nien and Dunne are in good shape ahead of weekend’s clash with the Hatters, who are one place above the Black Cats in the table.
“It gives them a little insight of how boxers train, they’ve done really well,” said Ward.
“Mentally and physically they’re in a very good place and are looking really well and looked like they really enjoyed it.
“I was glad just to give them a little look into how boxing is, it’s mentally tough but so is football, they’ve got to be mentally tough to last these games.”
O’Nien and Dunne didn’t hold back as they took part in a sparring session, with Ward passing on regular tips.
So was the boxer worried about one of the Black Cats duo picking up an injury?
“It was more just a bit of fun of how things are done around here, they seemed to enjoy it so I’m happy with that,” said Ward.