Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand believes West Ham United are safe from the drop.

Ferdinand, whose sudden departure for the north-east was one of the main contributory factors in former manager Alan Curbishley's resignation and subsequent successful compensation claim, saw enough at Upton Park on Saturday to be confident that West Ham will be safe this season.

Ferdinand told the London Evening Standard: "The way they handled us impressed me considering the pressure the players must be under at the moment.

"I don't know why they are in their position near the foot of the table. I haven't seen them live but whenever I've watched them on TV they have looked a capable side apart from that 3-1 defeat by Wolves."