Black Cats fans have quickly warmed to the uncompromising centre-back because of his battling style.

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The Republic of Ireland international had a man-of-the-match debut in Saturday's 1-0 season-opening victory against Tottenham Hotspur.

Now, the former West Brom defender is targeting a happy return to the Midlands tonight, when Roy Keane's men meet Birmingham City at St Andrew's.

McShane said: "I like a tackle and I like a battle. It's the way I've been since I started playing football as a kid. Football's a contact sport and that's the side of the game I will always enjoy.

"Getting that clean sheet against Spurs was as satisfying for a defender as Michael Chopra's goal was to him on Saturday.

"We have to set our stall out to be really hard to break down and we'll always get stuck in. It was enjoyable playing against some clever players on Saturday and preventing them from scoring.

"But that was only the beginning for us and we know there's a long way to go in the season."

McShane started his career at Manchester United but joined West Brom a year ago as part of the deal that took goalkeeper Tomasz Kusczak to Old Trafford.

One of his two Championship goals last season came against Steve Bruce's side in a 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns.

"I'm looking forward to going back down to the Midlands," said the 21-year-old. "I don't think the Birmingham fans will single me out – it might have been different going to Wolves but it should be OK at St Andrew's.

"We'd like to continue what we did against Spurs. We got our season off to the perfect start and I know that Birmingham will want to do well in their first home game back in the Premier League so it's probably going to be a scrap."

McShane remembers the great backing that travelling Sunderland fans gave their side on the way to a 2-1 win at West Brom last season. And he's looking forward to having that crowd behind him this time.

"They really got behind Sunderland that day and the atmosphere for the Spurs game was amazing," he added. "The crowd cheered every tackle like a goal had been scored. It made the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

"I know that all of the lads will scrap their hardest for those fans and hopefully we can go to Birmingham and get some more points on the board."