Sunderland's shell-shocked players have offered to refund the cost of supporters' tickets for their 8-0 Premier League humiliation at Southampton.

More than 2,500 fans who made the long trip to the south coast on Saturday will be able to claim back the £24 cost of admission, or have the sum donated to city-based children’s hospice Grace House instead.

Skipper John O'Shea said: "We win and lose as a team, players, staff and fans. However we wanted to acknowledge and thank the supporters who travelled such a long way to give us their backing and despite everything, stayed with us until the final whistle."

Goalkeeper Vito Mannone suggested the idea immediately after the horror show, which saw him picking the ball out of his net on eight occasions , with his own team-mates responsible for two of the goals.

The offer will cost the players in excess of £60,000.