Sunderland and Manchester City defender Jason Denayer aiming to make most of home comforts ahead of Southampton

And on-loan Manchester City defender Jason Denayer says the Black Cats must build on the 4-0 demolition of Crystal Palace against Claude Puel’s Southampton.

Sunderland are bottom of the Premier League but now just two points from safety and could climb out this weekend if results go their way.

“For every team to come here, it is difficult,” said Denayer.

“We have shown that and will keep trying to do that. Southampton will be a difficult game, they are a good team. We are at home and we will do our best to win this game.

“Crystal Palace was an important win, we need to keep working hard and doing our best. Last week it paid off, we need to come with the same mentality.

“Clean sheets are always important because then you never lose, that is the first thing we look for and us defenders will try our best to do it.

“For everybody, when you score four goals you are happy and your confidence is up.

“When we scored the fourth we were really confident. We kept the clean sheet, it was perfect.”

Sunderland were backed by more than 2,500 fans at Selhurst Park, with more than 40,000 again expected at the Stadium of Light today.

Denayer added: “At the start of the Palace game it was difficult but the supporters were there to support us, mentally they give us strength and their support was really important.”

David Moyes’ side have a fortnight’s break after this weekend after being dumped out of the FA Cup by Burnley.

The Sunderland first team squad will jet out to New York early next week for a four-night team-bonding trip to the Big Apple.