JACK Rodwell has intensified the pressure on relegation-threatened Sunderland by labelling the visit of West Bromwich Albion as a 'must win' game for Sam Allardyce's side.

Tony Pulis brings his mid-table Baggies to the Stadium of Light on Saturday in the first of crucial back-to-back home fixtures for the Wearsiders, who host Premier League leaders Leicester City on Sunday week.

Third-from-bottom Sunderland are two points adrift of safety after winning just once in their last nine games, their frustration compounded by throwing away four points to late equalisers in their last two outings against Southampton and the Tyne-Wear derby at Newcastle.

Time is fast running out to stretch the club's decade-long stay in the top flight. And with just eight games remaining, a fourth consecutive great escape - under a fourth different manager - is required to climb out of the drop zone in the final six weeks of a latest campaign of under-achievement.

"It's a must-win game for us," admitted Rodwell, as Sunderland look to avenge the narrow 1-0 defeat at the Hawthorns in October, the first game in charge for Allardyce. England midfielder Rodwell, 25, added: "With eight games to go, they're all cup finals now and we need to go for it all or bust to get to get three points on the board on Saturday. We've done nearly enough to win in the last couple of games, and hopefully we can get that victory now."

Despite winning just six of their 30 league games, Allardyce has set his side an ambitious minimum target of four victories from their remaining fixtures to reach his 38-point safety target. Five of those matches are on Wearside, starting with the visit of the two Midlands clubs.

Sunderland haven't won back-to-back games since November. Their only home wins this year have come against Aston Villa and Manchester United, but Rodwell added: "There's a positive mood in the camp, and there's no reason why we can't win both the home games we've got coming up.

"They'll be massive occasions but when the Stadium of Light is behind you, there's no stopping us. The fans have been brilliant sticking with us this season, and hopefully they can be our 12th man again."

Allardyce is hopeful those members of his squad who have been away with their countries will return injury-free ahead of the weekend. Rodwell added: "For lads like me who haven't been on international duty, the fortnight with no game has given us a chance to train really hard and to get that fitness work in so hopefully that will pay off. I feel a lot better now and I'm in a good place physically."

Sunderland's England Under-21 midfielder Duncan Watmore is confident of returning before the end of the season after making quicker than expected progress from ankle ligament damaged sustained in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield. It was initially feared that the former Altrincham winger would miss the rest of the campaign after suffering the injury early last month, but the 22-year-old hopes to be available before the end of April.