Fulham left-back John Arne Riise has admitted that back-to-back home wins for the first time this season would be a huge boost in the club's battle against relegation.

Riise said that it is vital to beat the teams around Fulham in the Premier League table, and a win against Sunderland to follow up the West Ham United victory would build a cushion to the bottom three.

"The West Ham game was very important for us and obviously this game on Saturday against Sunderland is going to be very important as well because they're desperate for a win, too," Riise told the club's official website.

"It's a chance for us to get back-to-back wins and that would give us some breathing space from the bottom three. When you play a team in mid-table or down at the bottom where we're at home, people expect us to get the three points a bit more. These are tough games because there's a little bit more pressure on you."

Riise has become a regular in the Fulham XI under Rene Meulensteen having been left out by Martin Jol.