By The Black Cats
January 20 2009

Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia has backed defender Paul McShane to win over supporters following his error in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa. The 23-year-old gave away the controversial penalty that Gareth Barry converted to win the match but Sbragia is confident McShane is tough enough to bounce back.

"Paul's a good professional and he'll get over it," the Scotsman told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"He's come back in and I'm sure he will march on as usual."

McShane was recalled to the Sunderland first-team following a loan spell with Premier League rivals Hull City, where he was playing at right-back.

And Sbragia admitted it was perhaps a little too hasty of him to install the Republic of Ireland international at centre-half after such an absence.

Though Sbragia's hand was forced by injuries to Danny Collins and Nyron Nosworthy - two of his starting back four.

"Maybe in hindsight we should have stuck him at right-back and put [Pascal] Chimbonda in instead, but it's always in hindsight," he said.

The former Manchester United youngster was signed by former Wearsiders boss Roy Keane for £2.5m from West Brom.

Do you think McShane should be in the Sunderland starting XI?