MART POOM knows all about relegation battles - he's endured more than most goalkeepers.

And the Sunderland goalkeeper, currently halfway through a two-month loan deal, is hoping he can use his experience to help the Black Cats stave off the threat of Nationwide League football.

Poom was part of the Derby County side that was sent down last season - but that followed two previous years of fighting against the drop.

And the shot-stopper, still employed full-time by the cash-strapped Rams, has urged his teammates on Wearside to form a strong bond in their bid to preserve their top-flight status.

"I hope my experience of relegation battles will help," said Poom. "It isn't a nice feeling to be struggling in the drop-zone. I have been there with Derby enough times and I'm familiar with it.

"We faced relegation battles three years running at Derby. Last season we just didn't quite manage to pull it off and we went down - that was hard.

"When we stayed up it was a real fight. You have to stick together, work hard on the training pitch, keep believing in yourselves and stay positive. That's the only chance you have to avoid relegation.

"We have got to avoid mistakes; we can't afford them. We need to go back to basics, to keep it simple and hopefully the change will come."

Despite Poom making the switch to the Stadium of Light nearly a month ago, he has yet to pull on the first team shirt because of the impressive form of Jurgen Macho.

But Macho's shaky display against Manchester City on Monday, following a far from confident performance at Sheffield United in the Worthington Cup, has led to calls for Poom to be installed between the posts for Sunday's visit of Liverpool.

And Poom is desperate for his chance to prove himself in the North-East and, despite the threat looming of following Derby into Division One, he has already admitted he would like to make the move permanent.

"Despite the club's problems I'm enjoying it at Sunderland," said the 30-year-old, whose loan could be extended until the end of the season when the transfer window opens in January.

"I've worked hard, got to know my teammates, and now I've settled down.

"Times are hard but there is still half the season to go and we can't give up, we have to keep going and keep believing."

He added: "The manager will decide who plays on Sunday, he has to look at the options and do what he thinks is best for this game. Whoever plays in goal, though, is certain to be busy."

Meanwhile, Sunderland winger Julio Arca has revealed he is ready to face Liverpool after returning from injury.

But Sunday's clash may have come too soon for the Argentinian, who only played half the reserves' match with Bradford City on Wednesday since sustaining ankle ligament damage in October.

Arca is yet to play under Howard Wilkinson and said: "I am feeling okay now, things are looking much better. I played 45 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday night and now I feel I am ready to return," he said.

"I am still not 100 per cent but I want to be back, I want to start. I know I may have to wait for my chance. Perhaps the Liverpool game is a little soon?

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