Hammers keeper hopes Sam Allardyce can keep Sunderland up ahead of West Ham game

West Ham United stopper Adrian hopes his old manager Sam Allardyce can keep Sunderland up this season.
West Ham United goalkeeper was signed by Sam AllardyceWest Ham United goalkeeper was signed by Sam Allardyce
West Ham United goalkeeper was signed by Sam Allardyce

The two sides meet at Upton Park on Saturday lunchtime, Sunderland's final visit to Upton Park before the Hammers relocate to the Olympic Stadium in the summer.

And Adrian hopes Allardyce, who brought him to East London in the summer of 2013, can keep the Black Cats in the top flight.

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The Spanish goalkeeper has been speaking about his "appreciation" for Allardyce but insists is debt of gratitude will be put to one side for the game at the Boleyn Ground.

"I have many reasons to thank Sam Allardyce because he brought me to West Ham United," said Adrian.

"He went to Seville to watch me in some games before he signed me and Sunderland need to work hard to save their situation in the Premier League.

"After Saturday I hope they can keep their Premier League position because I have appreciation for Sam.

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"For us every game in the Premier League is important, but this is especially important because we didn't get the three points in our last league game [at Norwich] and we need another three points urgently to stay near the top of the table."

West Ham are seventh in the Premier League having excelled this season under Slaven Bilic, who took over from Allardyce in the summer after the club decided not to extend his four-year stay.

Adrian is expected to be recalled to the Hammers first team after watching on from the sidelines as the Hammers beat Blackburn Rovers 5-1 in the FA Cup last weekend.

The club's No 1 says that result has further boosted confidence levels at West Ham.

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"We are playing at home with our fans behind us, so I think we have a lot of confidence after the FA Cup game at Blackburn," he added.

"It was a great game on Sunday, we played so well, and when you have time to score one more goal you need to score.

"We need to keep going like that in the FA Cup, but also to get the three points in the next game."