JERMAIN DEFOE has admitted that even the best team in the Premier League would struggle to end the season with six wins in a row – the size of the task Sunderland face to stand a chance of staying up.

The Black Cats have six matches remaining and even if they won four of those then it would only be enough to eradicate the 12-point gap to safety, assuming the sides immediately above them and Middlesbrough don’t win any more.

The first of two games in hand that Sunderland have on the majority of teams above them is at Middlesbrough on Wednesday, when nothing more than a victory will do for David Moyes’ side.

The club’s fans have already resigned themselves to a return to the Championship for the first time since 2007, while many supporters turned on Moyes during the 2-2 draw with West Ham United.

Defoe, whose own form this season earned him a recall to the England set-up, insists he is not giving up until it is mathematically certain and claims the focus from within is trying to go on an unbelievable run of form.

He said: “It’s pressure. The lads have been there before, we have new signings, it’s a different situation to last year, in terms of the points and where we are, but it is what it is.

“You have to go out and believe you are going to win. We need to believe we are the better team and that we can perform.

“Playing at this level, sitting here as a Chelsea or a Tottenham player, there would still be pressure. It is that pressure of winning trophies, winning games to get over the line or to get into the top four. No matter where you play, there is pressure.

“Every game we play now is a must win game. Even if you said to one of the top four teams that they have to win all of the last six games, or the last four games, that’s difficult.

“Even the best teams would find it hard. But this is football, anything is possible in football. We have to have that mentality and believe we can win it.”

Sunderland will head to Teesside having won just once since before Christmas, while Middlesbrough haven’t won any during that 16-game run in the league. Defoe hopes Boro’s 4-0 battering at Bournemouth will help the Wearside cause.

Defoe, speaking to the club website, said: “It’s a must win game, it’s been like that for a number of weeks. It’s not an easy game against Middlesbrough, our neighbours. It’s tough when you haven’t been getting results and confidence isn’t sky high. That’s when you need to show character.

“Everyone needs to stick together, it’s been like that since the first day and it has to be like that until the last game. We have to try to win every game. It’s doable even if it isn’t going to be easy.

“Look at Middlesbrough, losing 4-0, you can’t imagine they will be confident going into the game. Hopefully we will catch them at the right time because let’s face it, we need three points.”