Midfielder Lorik Cana believes Sunderland's "fighting spirit" will be enough to help them avoid a relegation battle.
A run of 13 games without a win and just one victory in their last 17 league matches has seen the Black Cats slump down the Premier League table.
Last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal leaves Steve Bruce's side just three points off the relegation places as they prepare to host Fulham this weekend but Cana remains confident Sunderland can avoid a relegation scrap.
The midfielder said: "The manager has told us that this is the time for us to show great spirit. I agree with him and think that we showed that against Arsenal.
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If we take that mentality into these next four or five home games, then I am confident we will be okay.
"I am a fighter, I never give up, but I think we have a team who have great fighting spirit."