JACK RODWELL has praised Costel Pantilimon’s contribution since dislodging Vito Mannone as Sunderland’s first choice goalkeeper.

Although he couldn’t prevent the Black Cats falling to a third defeat in four Premier League games at Tottenham on Saturday, Pantilimon made a host of impressive saves to keep his side in the game at White Hart Lane.

Christian Eriksen’s 88th minute strike secured the points for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, but up until then the Romanian’s saves kept the Black Cats in with a shout of taking a point or even three back to the North-East.

Pantilimon made great saves to deny Eriksen, Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane before Danny Graham missed two chances to win it before Spurs hit their winner.

The 6ft 8in stopper, who kept a clean sheet on average every other game before the new year, has been a mainstay in Gus Poyet’s starting XI ever since he replaced Vito Mannone at the beginning of November and Rodwell has praised his team-mate’s efforts.

“He's made some great saves for us this season and kept us in a lot of games, including on Saturday at White Hart Lane,” said Rodwell, who spent two years at Manchester City with Pantilimon.

“He nearly got caught out then when he went up for a corner but luckily it was given offside. He's done really well for us.”

Rodwell returned to action on Saturday after recovering from a groin strain, and was handed a deeper role in the absence of Lee Cattermole and Liam Bridcutt.

The 23-year-old is no stranger to playing in a more defensive role having filled in as a centre half in his time at Everton and Man City and Rodwell insists he is happy to play anywhere for Poyet.

He said: “That's why I came here, to get regular football. I've been playing in the last few games so long may it continue really.

“Me and Seb were asked to play a bit deeper at Tottenham with (Adam) Johnson in front of us.

“I'm happy to play any role for the team. I can even play in the back four if they want me to.

“Playing him (Johnson) in the hole worked well and he had a good chance in the second half.

“He's our creative player so we need to get him on the ball. I think he likes it in the hole, in the No.10 role where he can create things.”

Sunderland welcome Fulham to the Stadium of Light in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday having beaten Leeds United in the previous round.

The Wearsiders reached the quarter-finals of the competition last year, and despite their precarious position one point above the Premier League’s bottom three, Seb Larsson believes Saturday’s cup tie offers a welcome distraction from league matters.

“I’m not sure if it’s nice to have a break from the league because you can look at it in many ways,” the Swede said.

“At the moment it’s frustrating that we’re not getting the points on the board, but it’s also good to turn your attention to a different competition.

“It’s a good opportunity to get back to winning ways and bounce back from the disappointment of losing so late in the game to Spurs, and it also gives us another chance to play in our new system and get more familiar with it.

“Of course it is also very exciting to have a cup run as we well know, so when the Fulham game comes around we’ll be up for it as we want to progress and do as well as we can in the competition.”

Sunderland have taken young Arsenal defender Semi Ajayi on trial.

The 21-year-old Nigerian has featured on the bench for the Gunners this season but is out of contract in the summer.

Ajayi, who signed from Charlton in 2013, lined up for the Black Cats Under-21 side in their goalless draw with Norwich on Monday night.