Southampton striker Rickie Lambert has revealed that his side are starting to believe that they can avoid relegation this season.

The forward's equaliser earned the Saints a 1-1 draw against Fulham on Boxing Day, as they took a vital point away from Craven Cottage.

The South-Coast side made a poor start to their Premier League campaign, but Lambert has signalled that his teammates are beginning to believe that they can stay in England's top flight.

"We're disappointed with the early goal. We came with a game plan and it went out the window," said Lambert.

"We showed character and we stayed in the game and as the game went on we got stronger and stronger.

"When you're coming away to these grounds and you can see the players in the teams, you've got to believe that you're not only as good as them but that you can take points of them and that's what we're starting to believe game by game."

Saints travel to Stoke City on Saturday.