Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat has claimed that a return to form for Danny Graham could be key in the final three games of the season.

Graham was handed his first start since Advocaat's arrival in the victory over Southampton last weekend, and the Black Cats boss is desperate to see the striker follow a promising display with a run of goals as he continues his efforts to end his drought.

"In training he's the best goalscorer, but in the games, he's not. That has to change," the Dutchman told reporters.

"He did a great job for the team. It was an unbelievable game in the way he worked and how dangerous he was.

"He did not score, but he did a great job for the team."

Graham has never scored a Premier League goal for Sunderland and his only strike this season came during a loan spell with Wolverhampton Wanderers.