Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat has described tomorrow's Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle United as their 'second final' as they strive to avoid relegation.

The Black Cats have lost three of their last four Premier League games, while Newcastle have lost three on the bounce.

Advocaat is predicting a close encounter at the Stadium of Light, where a victory over their rivals would boost the club's chances of survival.

He told reporters: "At the beginning when I arrived, I talked to them about nine finals, and that's the way it is.

"The second final is Newcastle and I think we have to think about it in that way. It's a very important game to show them what we can do, and if we can get the result we want, it will give them a lift again."

Advocaat faces Newcastle in his second game in charge since joining, the same scenario as his predecessors, Paolo Di Canio and Gus Poyet.

Written by
Michael Hincks