Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has revealed he has past experience of relegation battles.

Mignolet, 25, admits he can draw on his time at Belgian outfit Sint-Truiden to help spur him and his troubled team-mates on.

He said: "I know what it is like to be up against it.

"I played the last couple of games of the season when we got relegated and then in my second season we were in the Second Division. It was a tough start to my career but believe me, it is not the same dressing room there as it is here.

"Back in Belgium, players were playing for their livelihoods - certainly the team I was in. In the First Division they were all professionals but not in the Second Division.

"Some did other jobs as well so if you went down it could mean your job. It taught me to make sure you played well on a Saturday so that nothing bad happens.

"It was a good thing to learn and a good experience to go through but it was not an enjoyable experience going down.

"I was still very young but you had to deal with it and get on with it."