AS Chris Coleman tries to cling on to the dream that Sunderland can still drag themselves to safety in the final month of the season, he has challenged his players to run on “absolute empty” in a desperate bid to avoid the drop.

Even though it remains mathematically possible for the Black Cats to stay up, the chances of that happening are bordering on the impossible after Birmingham’s win at Bolton on Tuesday.

Sunderland are potentially two defeats away from League One. If other results go against them, it could be confirmed next Tuesday after Norwich’s visit to Wearside.

Coleman will be determined to see his players fight until the end, although privately even a manager who portrays such a positive demeanour will be struggling to imagine a run of results where Sunderland will stay up.

Sunderland need to win three of their remaining six matches just to stand a chance but Coleman will not stand for any sign of his players giving up, starting at Leeds United on Saturday.

“We go to Elland Road on Saturday, a great place to play football, we are up against it but you don't want to miss a game like that,” said Coleman. "Whoever gets the nod, they have to just absolutely empty, whether it is Ashley Fletcher, Joel Asoro, Josh Maja, whoever gets the nod in attack or anywhere. We are now doubled up in certain positions, we haven't had that.

“We have a 21-man fit squad, which is good because for long periods we didn't have anything like that. Performance wise, whoever plays and gets the nod has to emulate what the team has done against Sheffield Wednesday and Derby.”

Even though Sunderland lost at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Monday, the performance levels were decent enough it was just the manner in which the goals were conceded that led to the defeat.

There were also positive signs at Derby a few days earlier when Sunderland left with a 4-1 win, raising hope the survival charge was on.

If, as seems likely, they will start life in League One in August then Coleman will want to field players with spirit and determination – like George Honeyman and Lynden Gooch who have impressed recently.

Coleman said: "Obviously that will depend on who is the owner, if it is the same owner (Ellis Short) then there won't be investment, so we won't have a choice anyway.

"But for sure in terms of their attitude and mentality you want players like that, being involved in what you are trying to do because they want to learn.

"Lynden is a prime example, he has got his head down and worked harder on certain things. He has come back and is better for it. George Honeyman is a dream. He has a great attitude. Those type of players, you want those sort of mentalities in and around your football club as oppose to one or two different ones."

He added: "They are young players, relatively young anyway, with the experience they are getting now they are getting better. Having Paddy McNair changes things somewhat, we haven't had those legs and physical power.

"When we have him playing we are a different team and it is good for Goochy and George, those type of players, to have him in the team, good for all of us.”

Coleman has fielded a number of younger players since taking over and enduring a relegation could easily have a negative impact on them. He thinks differently.

He said: "For the younger players here, it is probably because they are young and people can be more forgiving of them, they feel less of the burden than the more experienced boys.

"Nevertheless, it is great for them to experience this type of pressure and intensity, they will be much better for it, which way we fall, whatever level it is.

"I say all the time, you can play 100 Under-23s games but this is man's football and where all the pressure is. Whichever way they get through it, they will be better for it."

There will also be players leaving at the end of the season, either at the end of loans or contracts. Ashley Fletcher is likely to be one of those, with his loan from Middlesbrough due to expire.

Coleman said: "I have seen a difference - he looks fitter, he is winning more duels, winning more battles and he has a spring in his step. He could have had a hat-trick against Derby.

"I thought he was unlucky against Sheffield Wednesday, the referee gave a free-kick against him for heading the ball in the first half; he jumped and headed the ball and the keeper ran into him and he gave a free-kick - I've never seen that before! He has been brave Ash and has looked better. The bench is stronger now.”