SAM ALLARDYCE thinks Jermain Defoe and team spirit could be the ideal double act to keep Sunderland in the Premier League next season.

The Black Cats have not won in their last four matches and still trail a safe position in the table by four points despite encouraging displays against Manchester City and Liverpool in their last two outings.

But Allardyce believes he has seen enough from his players in the last week to suggest they possess the qualities and the character to get out of trouble, provided they build on the belief which such fixtures should have instilled.

And, having seen Defoe take his tally for the season to double figures, the Sunderland boss firmly believes he has a striker at his disposal capable of firing in the goals to lead the club out of the relegation zone.

“I think a result like Liverpool always gives you a bit more belief,” said Allardyce. “The goal by Jermain Defoe showed that if the team provide him with the quality service, he will start scoring more and more goals like that. He did it against Aston Villa and against Swansea as well.

“It was the first time he has scored since then because we hadn’t quite given him the sort of service we had in those two games.

“In all fairness, the service wasn't that great – it was good, but his ability was brilliant, the turn and the shot, so he could be our saviour if the lads at the other end are not letting goals in like they did.

“Certainly the second goal they conceded at Liverpool was so avoidable from our point of view. But it was a great comeback, a great, great point and a spirit that I hope will stay with us until the end of the season.”

Defoe is full of confidence again after being given a run of games in his preferred central attacking role and Sunderland are benefiting from that by staying in touch with the teams above them.

But the 33-year-old insists it is not all about what he can do in front of goal, claiming the likes of new recruit Dame N’Doye will have an important role to play.

N’Doye arrived on loan from Trabzonspor last month and he was introduced on the right following Duncan Watmore’s ankle injury, which is being closely monitored to determine the extent of the problem.

Defoe said: “It is nice to see another forward come in. N’Doye is strong, a good player and someone who can help the team. He is a presence up front and will score goals.

“It is good to have someone like that around. It gives the manager an option. He is looking forward to the challenge and it will be nice if he gets off to a good start. He has joined a good bunch of lads, team spirit is brilliant.”

Defoe, who scored his sixth goal in his last six games on Saturday, knows a good team spirit will count for nothing if they don’t deliver the results to keep Sunderland in the top-flight.

The former Tottenham striker takes great heart from what has happened at Leicester this season, suggesting the Foxes’ position at the top of the pile is proof of what can be done.

He said: “Leicester is an unbelievable story. They won again on Saturday but you look at clubs like that, if they can do it why can’t we?

“I think we have good players here and that has shown in the last two games. If we continue to work hard together then hopefully we will get the results and do it soon. We need to get out of this position.”