'Until the end' attitude helping Cats bridge gap

REGIS Le Bris believes his Sunderland squad are mentally strong after a promising start to their Premier League return, with Crystal Palace up first after the international break.

- By SAM ALLEN Football writer

The Black Cats are in pursuit of a third victory in just four topflight outings to begin the campaign, as they travel down south to the capital for this afternoon's Selhurst Park clash.

They entered the first of a handful of early international breaks this season in a good place, with Wilson Isidor's stoppage-time winner making it two wins from two at the Stadium of Light in the league.

Le Bris' side now want their first away points of the campaign, having lost at fellow newly-promoted side Burnley in their first league trip this term. The current FA Cup holders, Palace, are a tough assignment on the road, but Sunderland are powered by a strong mentality in the team.

"It is really positive to have this mindset of going until the end," said the Sunderland boss.

"It is not easy to understand why, but the players' personality, the consistency of the game model, the quality of the squad, and the connection with our fans we have many elements to explain this mentality until the end.