Manager Roy Keane admits tension is growing at relegation-haunted Sunderland.

He said: "You cannot kid yourself. You are never too good to go down. If the league finished today, we would be relegated.

"There is anxiety and tension in the air here, which is what you expect. I said this time last year that you get to the stage of a season when it is how you are mentally that is important. It's the same this year."

Rade Prica and Phil Bardsley are expected to make their debuts tonight against Birmingham City after making a good impression.

Keane said: "With these two there was no rigmarole, they were straight in and ready for training."