Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain has insisted that David Moyes will be given time to make his mark at the Stadium of Light, despite a poor start to the 2016-17 campaign.

The Black Cats have only collected two points from their opening eight games of the new Premier League season and currently sit bottom of the pile ahead of this weekend's clash away to West Ham United.

It had been suggested that Moyes could be sacked if the bad run of form continues, but Bain has claimed that the experienced Scot will be given time "to rebuild" the club.

"It's been a turbulent start," Bain told the club's official website. "From a football perspective we aren't where we want to be, but from a personal perspective I've got a good feel for the people and I had to understand the identity of the club before I could make recommendations.

"David is an experienced manager and he is a character. I think he is in the top four most experienced managers in the Premier League in terms of games managed.

"He is a builder. He understands the need to win, first and foremost, but in parallel, he understands that the job he has come here to do - and the job I have come here to do - is to build, to rebuild really."

Moyes, 53, made his name at Preston North End and Everton, but failed to make the most of the chance to manage Manchester United in 2013 - leaving Old Trafford after just 10 months.