HARRY REDKNAPP might have labelled Sunderland as the ‘worst team in the Premier League’ but one of his former players thinks derby day can lift Wearside for the third season in a row.

The Black Cats’ chances of staying in the top-flight have been boosted at similar times in each of the last two years when Paolo Di Canio and Gus Poyet have overseen 3-0 victories at St James’ Park.

The success stories on Tyneside helped give Sunderland a boost at just the right time to fight off the threat of relegation and now a third boss, Dick Advocaat, will hope for a repeat when the two rivals go head-to-head again on Sunday week.

Sunderland are just a point above the relegation zone and Redknapp, who left Queens Park Rangers last month, yesterday suggested that they were the worst team in the division despite having three teams below them.

But Defoe, who worked with the former Tottenham boss at White Hart Lane, Portsmouth and West Ham, is certain that beating Newcastle at the Stadium of Light can give Sunderland the confidence to stay in the top-flight for a further year.

“There’s no better game for us to get a win and give everyone around the club a lift,” said Defoe. “There’s no better game to kick-start a revival and get the club away from danger. We’ve got eight games coming up and the manager has told us they are all cup finals, which is right because we need to get points.

“If we continue to play like we did against West Ham we’ll be fine. We created a lot of chances, had good movement, we were solid and defended well.”

Defoe’s comments arrived after Redknapp cheekily dismissed Sunderland’s chances of staying up despite the arrival of the experienced Advocaat.

The Dutch head coach has been drafted in to purely lead as successful fight for survival initially and it started with a narrow defeat at West Ham last Saturday.

Redknapp has suggested it is mission impossible. He said: “I think it’s going to be very, very difficult (for QPR to stay up). But, having said that, I think Sunderland are bang in trouble.

“My honest opinion, I think Sunderland at the moment are the worst team in the division. QPR went there and beat them 2-0 just a few weeks ago. I think they’ve got it all on, Sunderland. I think it’s going to be tough.”

He added: “I think Burnley and Leicester are decent teams – they’ll still have a go. QPR have two decent away games now (West Brom and Aston Villa) where they need to pick up results. One result can turn it around for them.”

The timing of the fixture with Newcastle on April 5 could prove to be perfect, similarly though there will be no hiding place if things take a turn for the worse.

Sunderland have won the last four derbies with Newcastle and are looking to make it five for the first time in the club’s history.

Defoe, looking ahead to appearing in his first, said: “I’ve spoken to the boys and they’ve told me there’s nothing quite like it.

“It’s a fixture for the fans and it’s a massive game for everyone involved with the football club.

“It’s a game we can win. The lads have been unbelievable in the last few games against Newcastle. I think it’s four in a row and hopefully that can continue.

“It’s going to be a difficult game of course but with us being at home we will have the advantage of our fans.”

Sunderland have allowed Under-21s keeper Joel Dixon to join neighbours Gateshead on loan.

And defender Sebastian Coates has joined up with the Uruguay squad ahead of a friendly with Morocco on Saturday. The on loan Liverpool centre-back is in the squad along with Luiz Suarez and Co as Uruguay step up preparations for Copa America.