'If we are not in shape, we will fail'

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris says his team will need to be at their best if they are to sustain their promotion challenge.

Four of the Black Cats' nine remaining league games are against teams currently in the top 10 - they face fellow play off contenders Coventry City on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

"These games are so tight, so difficult, that if we are not in our best shape, we will fail," Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It's very important to build strong momentum in this last month and I think it's possible.

"Sometimes we can forget that this team has done very well so far, obviously it's a young team, the youngest in the league.

"The last month we've had ups and downs but we reacted well and I hope it will be the case for the last month."

However, while the Frenchman is looking at how best to improve the sides' play off prospects, he has not yet written his side into them.

"We are not yet in the play-offs," Le Bris added.

"If we are too relaxed, it will be a disaster, so our specific ambition is to be at our top.

"It's not behind us, it's ahead of us, so we have something to chase."

Listen to Le Bris' full press conference and more on the Total Sport podcast.