Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone has urged Sam Allardyce to remain as the Wearsiders boss even if they lose the fight against relegation from the Premier League.

He told The Journal: "Obviously the manager needs to stay. If he's here and we do stay up, it's going to be a good base for this club to finally get what it's able to achieve.

"I've always said that this club has the potential to be a very good one. We have to start by being in a better part of the table, trying to achieve a higher position.

"But from there, you've seen what teams like Stoke and Swansea have done. They've done magnificently.

"Leicester are a great example and they've done it so quickly, but I think there's the base and the right man in charge to be in a better position."