CAPTAIN Gary Breen has been given the nod by manager Mick McCarthy for Sunderland's game at Rotherham on Monday night.

The Sunderland boss is not usually as forthcoming with his team selection as he was ahead of the trip to Millmoor, but on this occasion he was more than happy to clarify that his skipper would return - despite enjoying a three match unbeaten run and conceding only one goal in the process.

Breen, who was controversially dismissed in his side's 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United along with the home team's Andy Gray, served out the last of his three match suspension in the Wearsiders' draw at Watford on Tuesday.

"It was not a tough choice to make, Gary Breen will play," said McCarthy.

"Neil Collins has been excellent in three games for me but Breen is a top defender and I have no worries about making that decision."

Collins' emergence as a capable understudy to his captain has seen fans' favourite Ben Clark move down the A19 to League One side Hartlepool on a free transfer in a bid to find first team football.

McCarthy believed the move was necessary for the 21-year-old defender if he wanted to get his career back on track.

He said: "I think Ben Clark needed to take a step sidewards to move forward again. He's probably been here too long not playing first team football.

"He is a good footballer and I hope he does well for Hartlepool and I sincerely wish him all the best.

"It is a good move because he will be playing first team football.

"But since Neil has come in he was pushed down the pecking order to fourth choice."

Meanwhile, Breen says he is delighted to be back in the squad for Monday's match after spending a frustrating spell on the sidelines.

The Republic of Ireland international followed his boss in paying tribute the resilience conveyed by the Black Cats' defence and to man who performed admirably in his absence.

He said: "I would have taken no pleasure in coming back if we had been thumped in the three games I missed.

"But I'm glad we got the three results and it puts us in a nice position for the fixtures leading up to Christmas where the real work has to be done.

"The lads have done really well in my absence.

"I've been watching the back-line working as a unit as opposed to the game from the stands and on Saturday they were fantastic. It looked as if they'd played there all season.

"Neil Collins looks like a good acquisition to the side when you consider the standard of football he has played in before hand.

"You are better off playing in someone's first team than someone's reserves and you can tell he has played first team football.

"He is comfortable on the ball and telling people what to do but he has a big future ahead of him. How much he wants it is up to him.

"But a big compliment to Neil Collins is that the boss has let Ben Clark go, who is a good player."

* Sunderland AFC Disabled & Escorts Branch have places available on the coach traveling to Monday night's game at Rotherham. For more information please ring the secretary Freda Oyston on 0191 3847835.

Read more about Sunderland here.