ABINGDON-BORN midfielder Dean Whitehead was singled out for praise this week by Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy.

The former Oxford United star, who joined the Black Cats in the summer, made his full Sunderland debut in last weekend's Coca-Cola Championship game at Plymouth.

Deano kept his place for the midweek Carling Cup tie against Chester - and produced a superb, typically high-energy performance.

After Sunderland's 3-0 win, in which Whitehead almost got on the scoresheet with a long-distance drive just before the end, which the keeper did well to parry, McCarthy was fullsome in his praise.

The Wearsiders' fans had made Sean Thornton their favourite after he had laid on two of the goals, but McCarthy singled out Whitehead for his workrate and hailed him as the decisive influence in his team's victory.

"Sean did very well, but the crucial difference came when I moved Sean out to the wing and moved Dean into the middle.

"Dean got tackles in, closed people down, won possession, and from then on, I knew the result was a foregone conclusion.

"I believe in hard-working midfielders, that's why Jeff Whitley and Carl Robinson are in the team most games, and Dean Whitehead falls into that category.

"It's all very well having your skilful players and flair players, but before they can play their game, you have to fight for the right to compete."

Whitehead is favourite to retain his place, even though Whitley has recovered from a calf injury, for Sunderland's home match against Wigan today.

OXFORD United held their annual photocall at the Kassam Stadium on Thursday and we have a picture of Graham Rix's first-team squad on pages 20-21.

Unfortunately, missing from the picture are striker Tommy Mooney and midfielder Barry Quinn.

Mooney had a pre-arranged appointment with the dentist, and Quinn was unable to drive after damaging his ankle ligaments in last Saturday's 0-0 draw at Leyton Orient.