Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has warned his players that they should not suffer from an FA Cup hangover when they face Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Black Cats exited the competition at the quarter-final stage with a 3-0 defeat at Hull City on Sunday afternoon.
Poyet believes that his players should be motivated by the fact that they would move ahead of Palace in the table if they secure a win at the Stadium of Light.
"If I was a football player and I got the chance to play Palace – who are three points above us – then [the Hull game] wouldn't affect me with any downness," he told the Sunderland Echo.
"If we've got some weak people who are affected, then I can assure you they won't be on the pitch next week.
"We weren't good enough at Hull. Bottom line. But let's make sure we are better on Saturday, because if not, it will get harder and harder."
Sunderland currently sit 19th in the standings, while Palace are 16th.
Steven Toplis
