Lee Johnson planning on hitting the 'reset button' at Sunderland - but not before Blackpool clash

The Black Cats could mathematically secure their place in the top six this evening if they beat Blackpool (7pm kick-off) and other results go their way.

Johnson’s side have not tasted victory since their Good Friday triumph over Oxford United but remain third in the table and highly likely to take part in the end of season play-offs.

But until such a time as that is guaranteed, the Sunderland head coach’s focus is solely on gaining the necessary results to clinch that play-off berth.

Once that is finalised, Johnson is planning on hitting the reset button after a hectic fixture schedule.

"We’ve got to secure a place in the play-offs,” he said.

"That’s the first thing and that’s not done. We’ve got to get a result at least over the next two games, and then we’ve got to almost press the reset button.

"I suppose the bit that we don’t really respect because we’re all so passionate about getting the results and achieving is how many games the boys have played in consideration to everyone else and the repeat every three days.

"But we have got a squad big enough in every position – apart from centre half – to deal with that.

"I think that’s probably showed in our goals scored column, but at the back we’ve just got to be very vigilant as a team to go and drive that one forward.”

As alluded to by Johnson, Sunderland’s defensive options remain limited with Max Power and Luke O’Nien continuing to stand-in as members of the back four.

Johnson had hoped for an update on Dion Sanderson before the weekend draw with Accrington Stanley, with the defender keen to play his part in the run-in.

"I haven’t [heard anything] at this moment in time,” said Johnson, when quizzed on the Wolves loanee on Saturday.

"Obviously it’s looking an important one at the moment.

"We have got two midfielders, that would probably would have the majority of their games in their career in midfield under me, playing at the back.

"But we’ve also shown that we can still keep clean sheets with that make-up of the back four.”

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