Lee Johnson has this early verdict on the impact of Luke O'Nien's midfield switch at Sunderland

O'Nien has been used in midfield in all of his appearances under Johnson so far, though the switch was initially in no small part due to the fact that the 26-year-old's recovery from a shoulder problem left him unable to take throw ins.

That changed in last Tuesday's Papa John's Trophy win over MK Dons.

O'Nien earned a starting role in midfield on merit and though an injury to Callum McFadzean forced him to left-back before the first half was even concluded, his performance before then had made an impression on Johnson.

He retained that role for the league fixture and though the team struggled for control in parts of the first half, O'Nien's second-half goal helped the Black Cats earn a point.

"He had impressed me on Tuesday, just his all-action nature, his competitive spirit," Johnson said.

"Technically he impressed me, he is quite unorthodox in his style but he gets it there and he gets it there early.

"A lot of the characteristics a player needs in any position, Luke has got.

"You want your personality as a manager to come across on the pitch, I think, and players like Luke and [Josh] Scowen epitomise that with their ability to be all-action.

"I had to apologise to him on the Tuesday night when I put him to left back, because I wanted to keep him in midfield where possible, but he was the best option."

Johnson is eager in the long run to settle on a best position for O'Nien, but is aware that he will need to rotate his options due to a punishing fixture schedule.

That means he is reluctant to confirm that the 26-year-old's move up the pitch is permanent.

Max Power has been playing at right back in recent weeks, while Conor McLaughlin is nearing a return following a hernia operation.

"Given the strength and depth of the squad at the moment, I'd imagine Luke would be happy to play anywhere," Johnson said.

"He'd probably play in goal if we let him, I'm sure he'd be flying around.

"I honestly have to take each game and each moment within in on its merits at the moment, I think if I try and premedidate too many things and go public with it then you back yourself into a corner.

"The challenge for me with Luke is to channel his enthusiasm into the right areas.

"His enthusiam and desire to get better is fantastic and it's about channeling that so when he is doing his extras, he's doing it in the right way."

Josh Scowen is likely to be in contention for a starting berth on Tuesday night at Shrewsbury Town, having replaced O'Nien late in the 2-2 draw on Saturday.

Johnson said he felt Scowen had looked fatigued in the Papa John's Trophy game days previous.

Carl Winchester will be absent with a groin injury, while Tom Flanagan is a doubt after pulling out of Saturday's game with a calf issue.

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