Khazri to keep faith despite position

SUNDERLAND forward Wahbi Khazri insists the Black Cats still have plenty to play for, despite their perilous Premier League position.

The Tunisian returned to the side in the 2-2 draw with West Ham on Saturday, playing a starring role and scoring the first goal straight from a corner.

It was his first 90 minutes for Sunderland since October, and he is hoping it is just the start of a run in the side.

But despite the fact the club appear to be heading for relegation to the Championship, Khazri says the players owe it to the fans to keep fighting.

“I like this team and I like this club – the fans are unbelievable – so we need to fight and give 100%,” he told the club’s official website.

“It was a good game (last Saturday) and West Ham are not a bad team, they have some good players so it wasn’t a bad result, but it also wasn’t a good one.”

Many have written off Sunderland’s chances of beating the drop, but Khazri refuses to rule anything out yet, even despite fourth-bottom Hull City beating Watford yesterday to increase the gap to 12 points.

Khazri said: “We need to keep the faith and fight for all 38 games.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland’s game against relegation rivals Middlesbrough on Wednesday night will be refereed by Mike Dean – and the Black Cats know from experience that they must be on their best behaviour.

Dean’s five dismissals means he tops the table for Premier League red cards this season, and Sunderland have been on the receiving end of two of those sendings-off. Wahbi Khazri