DARREN WILLIAMS is refusing to even consider the possibility of Sunderland missing out on a play-off place.

Wednesday night's defeat at Crystal Palace was the Black Cats' third successive league defeat.

It is a run of form which has led to them missing out on automatic promotion and the number of clubs vying for a place in the top six could even lead to Sunderland failing to clinch a place in the top six.

However, a firmly focused Williams gave the Wearside fans some encouraging words last night by insisting that Mick McCarthy's men remain determined to secure a return to the Premiership.

Sunderland travel to promotion rivals Wigan tomorrow before matches with Crewe, promoted Norwich and Burnley.

And Williams said: "We haven't got an easy run in. We knew after the Ipswich defeat that we were going to be up against teams who are wanting to achieve something.

"We are facing teams that want to be in the play-offs, teams that are at the top or teams that are scrapping to stay in Division One. You have got to scrap to get out of this league, get in the right frame of mind and now focus on Wigan.

"We want to finish on a high and in that third place. We don't want to finish fourth, fifth or sixth and we haven't even considered being out of the play-offs because we are going to be in there - end of story.

"Its been close all season but we have our eyes on third and that's where we want to finish."

Losing at Selhurst Park confirmed Norwich City's return to the Premiership and West Brom only need a point this weekend to join the Canaries.

Sunderland, after so long battling with the top two, have been left behind in the final hurdle and face a battle to retain their place in the play-off zone.

Palace now lie seventh but they are just four points behind McCarthy's side and Williams is urging his teammates to quickly forget about their failings at Palace.

"You take the disappointment into the dressing room and then home with you," said Williams. "We have got to get over it because in our position we can't afford to stay disappointed.

"We need to do it and we hope it ends in the right way - getting in the Premiership. It's been a long hard season but we want to make sure it ends on a high note.

"Perhaps getting into the FA Cup semi-final has taken its toll because we have been cramming games in and we have played more games than anyone else."

The sending off of goalkeeper Mart Poom, when he pulled down striker Andy Johnson, after just 20 minutes proved costly at Palace.

And he will miss the final game of the season on May 9 at Burnley.

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