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Paolo Di Canio: 'I may slap Connor Wickham'

Di Canio: 'I may slap Wickham'
© PA Photos
Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio reveals that he may need to "slap" Connor Wickham to change his attitude.

Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio has admitted that he may need to slap striker Connor Wickham to remind him that he is a footballer.

The former Ipswich Town forward has started once for Di Canio, in his opening game as Black Cats manager, but was sidelined for a month with a calf injury.

However, he did make a substitute appearance in the Wearsiders' 1-1 draw with Southampton.

Di Canio told reporters: "Maybe, with this guy [Wickham], I have to slap his face a little bit.

"He seemed to be complaining because it was wet. Maybe if he doesn't go out in a small T-shirt when it is wet, he won't be complaining.

"I have told him, 'No small T-shirts. I don't want him missing games because he is a Playboy model. We are footballers — that is our job."

Sunderland had their Premier League survival confirmed following Wigan Athletic's defeat to Arsenal, which condemned the Latics to the Championship.

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