Sam Allardyce calls for more from Sunderland players ahead of trip to Swansea

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has demanded more from his players as they put their Premier League futures on the line in another pivotal fixture at relegation rivals Swansea tonight.

The Black Cats, poised to confirm the arrival of Senegal striker Dame N’Doye on loan with a view to a permanent move, gave their survival hopes a recent boost by halting a run of five straight defeats with a 3-1 home win against Aston Villa in their last league clash.

Allardyce described it as a “nine-pointer” and made it clear where his priorities lay when making wholesale changes for Saturday’s FA Cup exit.