Sunderland midfielder Sebastian Larsson has insisted that he and his teammates are still confident that they can avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.

The Black Cats lost their first match under the tenure of Sam Allardyce when they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns, extending their winless run to nine matches.

However, Larsson has revealed that the mood in the squad at the Stadium of Light is upbeat, despite the enormity of the task at hand to avoid the drop into the Championship.

He told the club's official website: "We did have loads of chances but in the first half I think we were the ones who were knocking on the door, and as I said we felt very comfortable today which hasn't always been the case this season.

"Straight after a defeat you're extremely disappointed especially after the way it turned out today, but the belief is definitely there within the squad.

"People are going to say we can't wait too long and we can't that's true, but I'm sure we will turn it around."

Sunderland are bottom of the Premier League ahead of the Wear-Tyne derby against Newcastle United on Sunday.