THOMAS Sorensen insisted last night that Sunderland were stronger for last season's chastening relegation battle and claimed: "It's looking very positive."

As Sunderland prepared to begin their fourth successive Premiership campaign with today's trip to Blackburn Rovers, Sorensen admitted his side had learnt the hard way about life among English football's elite. With some Sunderland fans already on the brink of mutiny, the goalkeeper knows they cannot countenance a repetition of May's final-day escape.

But the Denmark international found plenty of reasons to be cheerful ahead of a defining season in his club's recent history.

Sorensen, 26, said: "We can't forget what happened - we need to keep it in the back of our minds - but I think it's looking very positive for the coming season.

"We have to look on the bright side and say we didn't go down. And we're stronger as players for what happened last season.

"An experience like that makes you more mature because you're under a different pressure to when you're in fifth or sixth place and going for Europe.

"We haven't performed to our best in pre-season and there's still room for improvement.

"But the league is starting now and there are new signings coming in. I'd rather play well in league games than in pre-season friendlies. Hopefully we'll get it together and we're aiming to do a lot better than last season.

"We don't want to go through what happened last season again. Once is enough for me!"

* Blackburn boss Graeme Souness has claimed star man Damien Duff is close to signing a new contract with the Ewood Park club, writes david prior.

The Republic of Ireland international has been the subject of frenzied transfer speculation during the summer with both Liverpool and Manchester United believed to be in the hunt for the £10m-rated forward. However, Souness insists no formal bid has been received for the 23-year-old in his two years at the Rovers' helm, and Duff is not for sale at any price.

Souness said: ''We are getting very close to an agreement with Damien on a new contract.

''It is important for Damien because he wants to get it sorted out. In my time here we have not had one offer for Damien.

''We have had inquiries from Liverpool and Manchester United since the end of the season, but no offer. We don't want one. He is not for sale, end of story.''

Duff is expected to be named in the Rovers' line-up for the opening game of the new Premier League season against Sunderland today, although he is likely to be given a more withdrawn role behind new attacking strike force Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke

Read more about Sunderland here.