Sunderland defender Billy Jones has revealed that Sam Allardyce has given his new side confidence that they can remain in the Premier League this season.

Former boss Dick Advocaat claimed that the Black Cats' squad was not good enough to avoid the drop into the Championship, leading to his resignation following their 2-2 draw against West Ham United.

Allardyce was confirmed as the Dutchman's replacement last week, and Jones feels that he has already made an impact at the club.

He told the club's official website: "He's spoken about what he expects from his players under his guidance. He's also spoken about how he can manage the team and the squad which has proved effective in the past, and it's a recipe which he feels will work.

"He's basically said to us as players that if we follow those guidelines we will get results and he's given us the belief that if we go out with the gameplan he gives to us and implement it correctly we will win games and move up the league."

Allardyce begins his tenure in charge of the Black Cats against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.