Edwards: We have the determination

Carlos Edwards has described Sunderland's remaining Premier League games as "six cup finals". The Black Cats begin their Premiership survival run in against the once high flying Hull City at the Stadium of Light next Saturday before travelling to bottom club West Brom.

Sbragia's side also face Everton, Bolton, Portsmouth and Chelsea as they look to stay up.

After the 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United and Newcastle's 1-1 draw with Stoke the Black Cats are now just 2 points above their north east rivals who are currently occupying the third relegation spot.

But even though Sunderland are fourth from bottom, Edwards was upbeat about their survival prospects after a good performance against Manchester United.

"We have the determination to get out of this," said the Trinidadian. "There were a lot of positives from the United game and hopefully we will take them into the next six games.

"We realise we're in a dogfight and we're up for it. We've got to make sure we show the same desire against Hull next week.

"People say the Hull game is our cup final but we have six cup finals, they are all as big as each other. We will roll our sleeves up and battle."

Edwards praised the fans after the 2-1 defeat to United on Saturday. "They could see the effort we put in and they backed us all the way," said the winger.

"We know that if we give everything, the crowd will give everything in return."