Gus Poyet has claimed that the battle to avoid relegation will be put to one side by the Sunderland supporters when the team faces Manchester City in the Capital One Cup final.

The Black Cats manager believes that the main focus should be to secure Premier League status for another year but claims that victory at Wembley on Sunday may be just as important to the club's followers.

"It (Premier League survival) is, but don't tell the people in Sunderland," Poyet responded when asked if staying in the top-flight was the main priority.

"I thought it was just down to the manager to stay in the Premier League - apparently it is more important for a manager to win a cup in Sunderland because it makes you more famous, so I am learning."

Sunderland are currently 18th in the Premier League.