Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper has backed his former boss Sam Allardyce to succeed at Sunderland.

Harper described Allardyce's move to the Stadium of Light as a 'cracking appointment' for the Black Cats following Dick Advocaat's resignation last week.

Sunderland are enduring a terrible start to the season, but Harper is confident that Allardyce will swiftly find a solution to the problems on Wearside.

Of the former West Ham United boss, Harper told Sky Sports News HQ: "He will certainly make big changes in and around the place, he did that at Newcastle.

"He will give the players exposure to all areas, not just on the pitch, off the pitch to get the best out of themselves.

"He'll organise them, they will be well drilled, they'll be a threat from set pieces and what he will do is give them a platform to get the results and, by having that well organised platform, give them the opportunity to go out and play from there."