Sam Allardyce calls for "big-game mentality"

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has called on his side to replicate their recent performances against Aston Villa and Swansea City when they take on Bournemouth this weekend.

The Black Cats breathed new life into their survival bid with back-to-back league victories over their relegation rivals earlier this month, and will look to make it three wins from four in January when they host the Cherries on Saturday.

Six points separate the two sides in the Premier League table, but a victory for Sunderland could move them to within one point of safety.

"Our big-game mentality will come into play again when we face Bournemouth; it was like that against Aston Villa and Swansea City so we hope we can keep that mentality going," Allardyce told the club's official website.

"When we've needed that result we've pulled it off and we certainly need that next week against a team that is in and around us. We need to make sure we've caught up points on Bournemouth by the end of next Saturday."

After Bournemouth, Sunderland's next six league games all come against sides currently in the top half of the table.