Sunderland winger Adam Johnson has told his teammates that they must start picking up points quickly in the second half of the season.

The Black Cats are currently four points off the relegation zone in the Premier League table following two defeats in their last two matches.

"The team have picked up over the last few weeks and there have been some tough games – playing three of the top five clubs," Johnson told Sunderland's official website.

"The fixtures we've got coming up now are with the teams around us in the league and these are the ones we should be going out and winning."

Sunderland welcome West Ham United to the Stadium of Light in the league on Saturday.