Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has challenged his players to keep the club in the Premier League because he feels most of them would struggle to find a better team to play for.

The Black Cats are currently 18th in the league standings, four points adrift of fourth-from-bottom Norwich, with the two teams set to go head to head in a crucial relegation six-pointer at Carrow Road on Saturday.

The Wearsiders have not won any of their last six league games and Allardyce has warned his players they must survive in the division, as many of them will not have the chance to play for a better club.

He told reporters: “Most of the players will never get a better club than this one, in my opinion. With its facilities and supporters, and playing in the top league in the world, they really need to realise what they have.”

Sunderland have six games left to preserve their top-flight status and Allardyce is convinced the club can improve next season, as long as they can avoid relegation to the Championship this year.

He said: “I can’t see most of the lads getting a better club than this one, so let’s stay in the Premier League and make the club even better. That’s their big challenge in the next six games. They are all trying to keep this club in the Premier League.”

Sunderland have not won any of their last five meetings with Norwich, but they are available at 3.10 to secure a crucial victory on Saturday, while the Canaries are on offer at 2.40 and the draw is priced at 3.25.