Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has praised his players for remaining professional during their relegation battle.
The Black Cats gave their survival hopes a boost on Saturday as they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford, picking up their first win at the venue since 1968.
Sunderland have 10 players whose temporary or permanent deals will expire next month, but Poyet is pleased that they have remained committed to the club during their final games of the season.
"They have been fantastic professionals," he told the Shields Gazette.
"It would have been so easy for the out of contract players – and we had something like five of them playing against Man United – so easy for them to have given up on Sunderland and started to think about next season.
"They did not do that. They are here. They are fighting for the club, for the fans, for themselves, and they don't want to go down – they won't accept it."
Sunderland sit two points clear of the relegation zone with two games left to play.
Steven Toplis
