Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has insisted that he wants Sunderland to avoid relegation in order to maintain the clubs' local rivalry.
The two teams meet at St James' Park in the Premier League on Sunday with the visitors above the drop zone on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Newcastle come into the match five points above the bottom three.
"For me, this fixture is important because I think it's great for the Premier League to have Newcastle and Sunderland in the division - and I hope we both are for next year," Pardew is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.
Sunderland grabbed a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw when the sides played at the Stadium of Light earlier in the season.
