Sunderland skipper Dean Whitehead is confident of keeping new teammate El Hadji Diouf on the straight-and-narrow.

"Diouf is a character," said Whitehead. "Every player brings different challenges and I will get on with my job (as captain) as normal. He is bubbly, everyone knows what he is about. Sometimes he gets himself into trouble, or others create it for him, but I'm sure he will be fine.

"People will know what Diouf is all about and we will have to look after him and help him to try to make sure he does not get himself into trouble because referees will be after him They target certain players.

"It's part of my job and other players' to make sure he doesn't react in a bad way. You do get different reactions from certain players.

"You won't change him and it's our job to make sure he does not overstep the mark. He is no different in training. What you see is what you get."