Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce admits Saturday’s trip to Southampton is crucial and his side must at least come away with a point to aid their relegation fears.

The Black Cats moved out of the relegation zone on goal difference on Tuesday night after a 2-2 draw with fellow strugglers Crystal Palace at the Stadium of Light.

Dame N’Doye opened the scoring for the hosts with a deflected strike in the first half but the Eagles took the lead in the second period thanks to two goals from former Sunderland striker Connor Wickham.

It looked like the visitors would be leaving with three points but Fabio Borini’s superb strike in stoppage-time sent the fans into a frenzy and secured a share of the spoils.

Allardyce’s men are now out of the bottom three but they could find themselves back in the drop zone if rivals Newcastle manage to defeat Stoke City at the Britannia on Wednesday.

Next up for Sunderland is a trip to St Mary’s and the former West Ham boss says his side need to maintain their current momentum by avoiding defeat down on the south coast.

“We’ve got to go to Southampton and get a result now,” he said.
“Staying in touch is about getting a result there. It will be difficult to get a win, but if we can’t get a win, we have to get a point.”

Southampton, who lost 2-0 at Bournemouth last time out, are 1.53 to bounce back to winning ways, a draw is priced at 3.80 while the Black Cats are outsiders at 6.00.

The hosts are set to be without January arrival Charlie Austin after the striker picked up a hamstring injury against the Cherries, while Shane Long is also a doubt after also being forced off in the same match.