Former Sunderland defender Danny Higginbotham is backing Stoke City fans to help keep them up this season.

"I know from my time here before that the atmosphere at the Britannia is unbelievable," he told The Sentinel.

"It is one of the best I have known. Away teams have to come to a stadium which is so hostile, and that gives the home team that bit of an advantage.

"I am sure it can make a huge difference for us this season.

"I've played at some good stadiums but, when there's a big crowd here and they are really going for it, there's not many better."