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Premier League: Sunderland striker Connor Wickham not fretting about relegation

Connor Wickham
Image: Connor Wickham: Sunderland striker is taking one game at a time

Sunderland striker Connor Wickham insists he has not given much thought to the team’s fight for Premier League survival.

The 21-year-old scored his fourth goal of the season in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Burnley which hauled Sunderland into 14th place and four points clear of the drop zone.

It was Sunderland’s first win in the league in six attempts since December 21 and just their second of the season at the Stadium of Light.

But Wickham, whose five goals in three games at the end of last season provided the platform for Sunderland's unlikely escape from relegation, is simply taking each game as it comes round

"You can never guarantee you are safe - you just have to look at last season. We were seven points adrift and then we managed to avoid it,” Wickham said.

“I don't think anybody can guarantee safety until it's mathematical, so we are not even thinking about that.

"Obviously the aim is to stay in the Premier League and do the best we can, but I don't think - well, for me personally - relegation has never crossed my mind, so it shouldn't for the team either."

Meanwhile, Wickham revealed he was happy to play beside Jermain Defoe for the first time in a match when both strikers found the net.

Wickham said: "We played well as a team and we looked comfortable. I have not had much of a chance to play in a game situation with Jermain.

“On Saturday, we got the opportunity and we both managed to score, which is good."

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