ON CLOUD O'NIEN

Luke cannot wait to resume the derby tussle with Toon

- BY MIKE WALTERS X@Mike WaltersMGM

LUKE O'NIEN can't wait to revive Tyne-Wear derbies with Newcastle after Sunderland's dramatic promotion heist, claiming: "Our rivalry drives the North East.

The Black Cats captain lasted only 70 seconds of the Championship play-off final triumph against Sheffield United after he suffered a dislocated shoulder.

But O'Nien is looking forward to kicking off the 2025-26 campaign as the Toon's equal partners and with no intention of Sunderland living in the shadow of their Champions League-bound neighbours.

O'Nien's delirious celebrations on the Wembley touchline with his damaged shoulder in a sling will go down as one of sport's great subversions of injury.