Stoke City defender Ryan Shotton believes that his side can push up in the Premier League table after relieving the pressure by securing back-to-back wins.

Victories over Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City lifted the Potters out of trouble after they had previously gone seven games without a win.

Shotton told the club's official website: "We knew the pressure was on before the QPR game because we were getting dragged into it. It was time for us to roll up our sleeves, as we always do, and fight on and fortunately we've got six out of six.

"We're feeling a lot more positive and really looking forward to going to Sunderland on Monday.

"We had been playing well and creating chances, but the clean sheets wouldn't come and the chances wouldn't come for us in the right areas."

The Potters travel to the Stadium of Light on Monday to take on Sunderland.