'Wonderful club': Lincoln City boss Michael Appleton delivers his verdict on Sunderland and Lee Johnson

But he has called on his players to make life as difficult as possible for the Black Cats and their new head coach on Saturday afternoon.

Sunderland travel to Sincil Bank looking for a first league win since November 3, but will face a side currently sat second in the third tier and in the midst of a rich vein of form.

So does that makes the hosts the favourties?

"Possibly, but that wouldn’t change anything in terms of our mindset,” said Appleton, speaking to Lincolnshire Live.

“We know it’s going to be a difficult game, we’ll stay humble, we’ll stay hungry and try and make it as difficult as we possibly can for the opposition.”

And Appleton insists he won’t be misled by previous results, and knows that Sunderland’s squad will pose a considerable challenge for the Imps.

“I know they lost the game on Saturday but if you look at the stats, they put Wigan under serious pressure at times and created a lot of chances in the game,” he added.

“We’re under no illusions how big a game it is and how tough it’s going to be.

“They’ve a strong squad that a lot of people in the division would be delighted to have, with a lot of big names in there but who probably think they should be plying their trade in the Championship.

“Ultimately, they’re not so we’ve got to work on that and try and make it as difficult as we possibly can for them.”

The game will be Johnson’s third in charge of the Black Cats – and Appleton believes it’s a role that the young head coach will relish, particularly when fans are allowed to return to the Stadium of Light.

"It’s a great opportunity for him, a massive club with great support.

"I know they can’t come through the doors at the minute, but I’m sure, when they’re allowed back into the Stadium of Light, he’ll enjoy being in charge of such a big and wonderful club.”

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