Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has claimed that a draw in Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Southampton would be a worse result than a defeat.

The Black Cats could face a busy period of fixtures over the final three months of the season, with postponed Premier League games against Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion still to be rearranged.

"I don't want a replay," Poyet told the Shields Gazette. "A replay is the worst result. Is it worse than losing? Yes.

"Sometimes I promise things to the players and try to make their life easier. But without knowing when you play, you can't do too much.

"We're going to play the game to win it, but I wouldn't like to have a replay, not at all."

Sunderland currently sit 18th in the Premier League.