Simon Grayson insists Sunderland must target the maximum six points from their next two outings at home against Bristol City and Bolton.

The Black Cats have endured a tough start to life in the Championship and Grayson, who took charge over the summer, has found it difficult to stop the rot.

Sunderland are priced at 3.50 to be relegated and currently sit 23rd in the second tier, just three points above rock-bottom Bolton after playing out a third successive draw on Saturday.

Grayson is under growing pressure from fans in the north east after they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Griffin Park.

The struggling side now play three of their next four games on home soil with Bristol City, Bolton and Millwall set to visit the Stadium of Light.

The 47-year-old has stressed the importance of claiming successive wins in their next two outings and has challenged his men to build on going three unbeaten, despite their slip up over the weekend.

Grayson told Sunderland’s official website: “When you get 3-1 up you want to win the game, but it’s three games unbeaten so the glass is half-full and we’ll look to build on it next week now.

“Six points is the objective, of course it is. “We need to build on the last few games, and performances to a certain degree. “The focus is three points on Saturday and then we will move on to the midweek game.”