Phil Bardsley says Sunderland are mentally strong enough to beat the drop this season.

Fullback Bardsley said: "We've looked solid in the last couple of games and made chances for the front lads.

"I think our standards have been high in the last two games and we need to keep that going now.

"Everyone's working very hard for each other and that's got to be the way from here on.

"We were disappointed not to get something against Chelsea, which says a lot about our performance against a very good side.

"They were probably the toughest side we had left to play in the run-in, but it's true that there aren't easy games in this league.

"Confidence has been good since I came here and the way we've played recently has only strengthened that."