Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat says Sebastian Coates has been a revelation since his arrival.

The on-loan Liverpool defender has shone since Advocaat turned to him.

"Nobody expected the way Coates would play," said Advocaat. "He's been very solid in the last couple of games, so that gives him the confidence.

"When you come in [as head coach] then you have expectations for players.

"And in the past he had hardly started a game.

"But we saw him improving in training and in some things I was not so happy with Santi [Vergini], so I thought we'd put him in.

"He's done well and that's the reason why he is still playing."