SUNDERLAND midfielder Dean Whitehead has warned his title-winning team-mates not to take their Premiership place for granted.

Whitehead won the Black Cats' Players' Player of the Year award at the end of last season after a series of consistent displays.

The 23-year-old was a virtual unknown when he moved from Oxford last summer but, after missing out on Sunderland's first three games of the campaign, he went on to make 39 league starts as his side claimed the Championship title.

He is expected to be a key member of the squad that attempts to keep the club in the top-flight but, as the axing of Jeff Whitley and Sean Thornton has proved, Mick McCarthy will not allow sentiment to stand in the way of his plans.

At least five new signings are expected before Sunderland depart on their pre-season tour of North America in July, and those players will not be arriving to play bit-part roles over the next 12 months.

"Just because you did well last season doesn't mean you've got an automatic right to start in the team again," warned Whitehead, who finished the campaign in central midfield after spending much of the season on the right flank.

"We all know we've got to show how hungry we are.

"When I moved from Oxford last summer, I didn't think there was any chance of me playing the number of games I have.

"I thought I would be in and around the squad, getting games here and there and slotting in whenever I was needed.

"To play 40-odd games was unbelievable, but I know I'm basically back to square one with us getting into the Premiership.

"I'm sure there are going to be new players coming in and everybody at the club knows they are playing for their places."

Whitehead's career has changed out of all recognition in the last year, but the versatile midfielder will experience an even sharper learning curve in the exalted environs of the Premiership.

While last August began at Highfield Road, next season could kick off at Highbury, but the experience will count for little if things do not go according to plan on the pitch.

Whitehead added: "You think about playing the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United and it's bound to excite you.

"It's about enjoying every minute of it, but it's also about achieving something when you're there. I won't be enjoying it if Sunderland are losing every week."