JOHN O’SHEA feels Dick Advocaat’s magic on Wearside has put Sunderland in with a fighting chance of survival but the Dutchman has not been the only factor in the turnaround.

The Black Cats have won three out of their last five matches to lift themselves two points clear of the relegation zone and top-flight status could be guaranteed this weekend, provided Hull City also fail to win at Tottenham.

Sunderland’s improved fortunes have largely been as a result of the impact Advocaat has had on a squad lacking inspiration to attack and grind out results prior to his arrival.

But O’Shea, the club’s vastly experienced skipper who has recovered from a rib injury ahead of tomorrow’s crucial game with Leicester City, insists the enormity of the situation facing the players also hit home.

The Irish defender said: “The manager has the experience, which he has gained from certain things at certain times during his career and he has clearly remembered individual bits and pieces from playing certain games. That comes from the experience.

“He doesn’t leave anyone out, so he will give rollickings to anyone who needs it. It’s all combined really. He talks about his preparations, says certain things and that’s the experience of the man. He knows when to cajole a player to get more out of him.

“But it’s not just down to Dick. There is the realisation as well that the games are ticking down, so there is a greater emergency about the situation. You almost need to realise that earlier in the season to get yourself in to a more comfortable position to climb up higher.

“You look at Stoke for example, the season they have had. When you face a team like Stoke you think they have done brilliantly this season, so why can’t we do that? Ultimately you have to adapt to the position you are in and deal with it.”

O’Shea only signed a new two-year contract in October so is set to remain a Sunderland player until the summer of 2017, regardless of the division they are playing in. He certainly didn’t commit to new terms thinking relegation was on the cards.

He said: “When I signed my contract, I signed it at a Premier League club and because I want to stay a Premier League player without a doubt. It goes without saying really and I will do everything I can to make it stay that way.”

The 34-year-old was forced off against Southampton nursing his rib problem which prevented him from facing Everton last weekend.

He was sat in the dug-out with the substitutes as Sebastien Coates and Wes Brown combined together at the heart of the defence to frustrate the Toffees, paving the way for Danny Graham and Jermain Defoe to score at the other end to seal the points.

As skipper, O’Shea is likely to be recalled to the heart of the defence when Leicester travel to the Stadium of Light tomorrow for a game which could keep the winners in the Premier League.

“I am just hoping my ribs recover in time, they seem OK,” said O’Shea. “Then it is down to the manager because Seb and Wes did fantastically at Everton. It’s not a case of just walking straight back in to the team. It is down to the manager. Hopefully I will be ready and available. These big games are the ones you want to be a part of.

“I made the decision to go to Everton because you are in the squad together, a team, and I just thought it would be a good thing to go down to help everyone to stay calm. But the boys did brilliantly.”

O’Shea has had to get his head around relegation battles since arriving from Manchester United, where it was all about chasing Premier League and European titles.

He said: “It’s a pressure but mentally going for titles is a nicer pressure. These games are all tension filled. There will not be much of a teamtalk needed for a game that can almost guarantee survival.

“You still enjoy them more than watching it – compared to last week! You want to be a Premier League player, a Premier League team. It’s a game against a rival in the table and it boils down to wanting to stay a Premier League player. We have to do it ourselves and not think about others.”