Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole is well aware just how vital the next two months are for his club.

The Black Cats currently sit rock bottom in the Premier League with just two points from seven fixtures and the next run of games are required to pick up points before a very tough set of matches from December 5 onwards.

"The next six to seven games are massive now," said Cattermole in the wake of Saturday's 3-0 loss at Manchester United.

"There were a lot of positives from the first half at Old Trafford. We were in the game, and the goal before half-time was massive.

"You could see organisation, and the work we had done in training.

"It needs to be addressed. We will do that. We gave away a couple of cheap goals.

"We have to prepare for West Ham now and that is going to be a cup final at home."

Points now for Sunderland are at a premium as they as from early December they face the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham in an eight-game period.