Adam Johnson has claimed that Sunderland's fixture list is a big factor in their bid to avoid relegation.

Ahead of the crucial meeting with fellow strugglers Cardiff City on Sunday, Johnson has declared himself happy that the Black Cats still have the Bluebirds, West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City to play at the Stadium of Light.

"It is in our own hands again with three home games against teams in and around us," the former Manchester City winger told reporters. "We could not really have asked for better and I'd certainly rather have our fixtures than some of the others.

"But it's at home where our problems have been. At times, we've played like a top seven side but we've also been absolutely awful.

"Now we've got to take the form we showed in our last two away games into Cardiff."

Sunderland are currently bottom of the Premier League.