Borini looking to build on Black Cats home form

Sunderland striker Fabio Borini insists home form will be crucial to his side’s bid to retain Premier League status as the Black Cats host Stoke City on Saturday.

Since September, only Chelsea and Arsenal have won at the Stadium of Light and the Italian admits confidence is high after keeping a clean sheet in their FA Cup tie against Burnley last time out.

He said: “Our home form will be key for the rest of the season.

“Stoke have good quality players, they are very physical players and they are aiming at a top half finish.

“But if we put the effort in that we have in the last few games, especially against Liverpool, we will be fine.”

(Warren Little/Getty Images)

Borini, whose side earned a 2-2 draw against title contenders Liverpool in their last league outing, is confident they can pick up a valuable victory over the Potters.

He added: “We have targeted to win the game because with three points we might get out of the relegation zone before we play West Brom away which will be another tough game.

“It is obviously great when we have our fans behind us when we get positive results and pick up points.”