Craig Gardner: 'Cup runs have given us confidence'

Sunderland midfielder Craig Gardner believes that his side's runs in the cup competitions this season have given them belief that they can survive in the Premier League.

Gardner fired his side into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup as he scored the winner in their 1-0 victory over Southampton at the weekend, while Gus Poyet's side are also due to compete in the Capital One Cup Final next month.

He told the club's official website: "The run is just giving us real confidence, everyone is behind the gaffer. You can't not like him, he's a top man and training is brilliant. [The coaching staff] are really good people.

"We've got a good changing room. Everyone wants to do well and that's what's getting us through."

Sunderland are 18th in the Premier League and face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.