Phil Parkinson on the challenge ahead for Sunderland as they face Ipswich Town test

Only goal difference separates Paul Lambert's side from the top of the table, but the Black Cats can move within one point of them with a win at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland have also played a game less.

Lambert's side made a strong start to the season, but stumbled away from home against Doncaster Rovers and Lincoln.

Two wins since then have steadied them, though Lambert conceded they had ridden their luck at times during the 1-0 win over Crewe Alexandra last weekend.

Parkinson is eager to see his Sunderland side replicate elements of their performances against the likes of Peterborough United and Charlton Athletic.

"Ipswich had a good start, then they had a couple of indifferent away performances at Doncaster and Lincoln, but they have bounced back in two tight games against Gillingham and Crewe and come out on top in both of those," Parkinson said.

"They will be up there and one of the teams that will be up in and around the automatic promotion places come the end of the season.

"They will have been pleased to get the win against Crewe at the weekend. Crewe will probably feel they deserved something from the game but it's about taking your chances when you are on top and Ipswich did that while Crewe didn't.

"People will look at this game and see it as a test of both sides' promotion credentials - that is bound to happen when you play against teams that are expected to compete at the top of the table.

"For our part, we have beaten Peterborough already this season and we went to Charlton - who have since emerged as a very strong side - and we outplayed them for long periods, even though it ended goalless.

"Hull are another side near the top and we dominated the Carabao Cup game against them, although we ended up losing on penalties.

"Then against Portsmouth in our last home game, admittedly we weren't at our best.

"So we have played a few of the top six contenders and this is another one, and I'm pleased we're going into it on the back of a terrific win at the weekend."

Parkinson was pleased to see his side back to their defensive best against Gillingham on Saturday, having shipped five goals in the previous two league games.

"We had taken the pats on the back for our defensive resilience in the first six games, and deservedly so, but against Portsmouth and Rochdale we were a bit slack," he said.

"But we looked back at it down at Gillingham, and it was important because it meant that when we got the penalty late on it was a chance to win the game.

"Gillingham is a difficult place to go with their style, and then there were the weather conditions, but we stood up to everything they had to offer."