Jermain Defoe is expecting Younes Kaboul to find his best form for Sunderland.

The French centre-back joined the Black Cats from Tottenham in the summer but has not enjoyed the greatest of starts at his new club after seeing seven goals go past him in the opening two Premier League matches.

However, Kaboul's current and former teammate Defoe knows the 29-year-old has the personality to put those sub-par performances behind him and get the Wearside club back up and running after a treacherous beginning.

"Younes is a good character," said Defoe.

"I've played with him at three clubs now and he's a natural leader and strong player."It is difficult for him though because he hasn't had a pre-season. At Spurs, they were looking to off-load him and he wasn't involved in the first team, so he's still getting his fitness and sharpness.

"But when he gets that level of fitness, he is a machine and someone who will be brilliant for us."