Sunderland face a must-win Stadium of Light showdown with AFC Bournemouth on Saturday (KO 3pm).
Following defeat to Middlesbrough on Wednesday evening, the Black Cats currently sit 12 points from safety – and Hull City – with 15 points to play for and they must defeat the Cherries to keep their immediate fate in their hands.
Victory over Eddie Howe’s side would render results at St Mary’s, where Hull face Southampton, and Old Trafford, where Swansea City take on Manchester United, inconclusive, and ensure the gap remains at a minimum of 12 points with four games remaining.
And speaking ahead of the game, Black Cats boss urged his side to keep fighting.
“It’s really difficult for everybody because we’re not enjoying it and we’re not enjoying the position we’re in.
“We’re not enjoying losing and we want to get back to that winning feeling again as we’ve not had it for a while.”
He added: “"I'm a football supporter, I know what it's like. You don't like seeing your team lose and there is nobody who wants to win more than me.
"While there's a chance, I've got to keep going and we've all got to keep going."
Bournemouth, meanwhile, are looking to end the season on a high after pulling seven points clear of Swansea with a crushing 4-0 win over Boro last weekend.
Josh King has led the Cherries’ march up the PL table with 11 goals in 2017, but, as they showed against Boro, they carry a threat in every area of the pitch.
Benik Afobe, who also found the net against the Teessiders, is likely to partner King in attack, but Howe will once again be without Calum Wilson who won’t return until next season due to a knee injury.
On-loan Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is also unavailable after breaking his leg against Tottenham Hotspur, with Dan Gosling, Andrew Surman and Adam Federici also set to miss out.
On Wearside, Sunderland will once again be without Bryan Oviedo, Jan Kirchhoff, Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore, with Seb Larsson serving the final game of a three-match ban.
And they could be without a further quartet, with Lee Cattermole, Darron Gibson, Jack Rodwell and Jason Denayer set to undergo late fitness tests.
OTHER INFO
Tickets for Saturday’s game are still available and further information on how to purchase is available by clicking here.
If you can’t make the game, then don’t fear because we have every base covered with extensive coverage on safc.com and on Twitter by following @SunderlandAFC.
Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett will be ON AIR from 2pm.