Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has backed himself to help maintain the club's Premier League status by scoring goals for his new side.

The 32-year-old frontman recently signed a three-and-a-half-year deal at the Stadium of Light, having left MLS side Toronto FC to return to the English top flight.

"I thought we did well. It was always going to be a difficult game," Defoe told Sky Sports News after his Black Cats debut against Tottenham Hotspur.

"When you go to White Hart Lane, there are going to be spells when Spurs have a lot of possession but our shape was good, our gameplan was good and it could have been different.

"Overall, there were a lot of positives to take from the game. I thought we deserved a point. If we continue to play like that, we will pick up points, definitely. I'm really looking forward to the challenge and I believe we will create a lot of chances for me and others to score goals. I am always confident that, if I get chances, I will score goals. That's why I'm here."

Gus Poyet's men currently find themselves sitting in 16th spot in the league standings.