Niall Quinn suggests Sunderland will be buoyed by their Tyne-Wear derby victory over Newcastle United on Sunday.

The Black Cats edged the Magpies 1-0 at the Stadium of Light to make it five straight victories over their north east rivals.

The win came courtesy of a stunning Jermain Defoe volley on the stroke of half-time to lift Sunderland three points clear of the drop zone and former chairman Quinn feels the result will give Dick Advocaat's side impetus for the remainder of the campaign.

"You're always anxious when you're fighting relegation and the last two games away to Arsenal and Chelsea especially make you anxious that it has to be done before," he said on Sky Sports.

"But there'll be a new-found confidence in that dressing room and they'll relish that because they've regrouped now. The joy on their faces and the reaction from the fans gives you energy.

"I hope they keep showing the same collective perseverance as they did today because they didn't have that before and for some time."