Jermain Defoe insists Sunderland have not been affected by the recent defeat to Everton and the whole team are working hard to improve on their current position in the Premier League.

The Black Cats were on the wrong end of a 6-2 hammering at Goodison Park in their latest outing and the result has left the club languishing down in 19th place in the table.

They have taken just six points from a potential 33 this season and the only victory came on October 25 when they triumphed 3-0 over fierce rivals Newcastle United.

Former West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was recently appointed as successor to Dick Advocaat, who resigned after a poor start to the campaign, and the Englishman has a big job on his hands to save the team from relegation.

Sunderland have the worst defensive record in the Premier League this year, having conceded 25 so far, and the goal difference of -12 is the joint-lowest with Bournemouth.

Major improvement is needed if results are going to pick up, but Defoe, who has scored just three in the league this season, insists the belief is still high within the squad.

“I don’t think Everton’s knocked our confidence, it’s just frustration because the game could have been so different,” he told the Chronicle. “The preparation’s spot on, so we do everything that we need to do at the weekend. If you’re in the game, then you never know.”

Sunderland welcome Southampton to the Stadium of Light on Saturday and the hosts are a 4.75 chance to get three points, a draw is priced at 3.75 while the Saints are firm favourites at 1.75 to extend their unbeaten run to six games.