Johnson outlines his plans for Cats’ O'Nien
Lee Johnson has confirmed that Luke O'Nien will move into his natural midfield role this season.
O'Nien made his first appearance of the pre-season campaign on Saturday as Sunderlandproducedanemphatic 4-0 win at Harrogate Town.
The26-year-oldhadmissed the previous two games with a shoulder injury and to accommodate his return, Dan Neil dropped into an unfamiliar left-back role.
Johnson's game plan this season is to operate with a six, an eight and a ten in central midfield and O'Nien is set to operate in the second of those roles. However, Johnson said that O'Nien was fully aware that his versatility was one of the key reasons why the Black Cats invested in a new deal to matchsignificantinterestfrom Championship clubs.
As such, O'Nien's days in defensive roles are not entirely over and indeed he finished Saturday's friendly alongside Ollie Younger at centre-back.
"We definitely see him as a central midfielder - we have signed him as a number eight," Johnson said. "But the reason Luke got an extra percentage increaseonhiswage,whichenabledustokeephim,isbecause of his versatility.
"By having Luke who can playatcentre-mid,centre-half, right-back,itmeansyoucanreduce your squad by one body, which means you don't have to pay relocation, an agent's fee, or anything. I'd rather have 20 qualityfirst-teamplayersthan 25 average ones."
Sunderlandwanttorecruit at least two new full backs before the campaign starts, and remain hopeful that Denver Hume will agree fresh terms.
Johnson said that he believes the club are 'getting there' in the search for new recruits.