Sunderland's Cup success this season is keeping morale high, says Craig Gardner.

The midfielder feels progress in the cups is building confidence and says every member of the squad - whether playing or not - is on the same page.

"The run is just giving us real confidence - everyone is behind the gaffer," he explained to safc.com.

"You can't not like him - he's a top man and training is brilliant. They [the coaching staff] are really good people.

"We've got a good changing room. Everyone wants to do well and that's what's getting us through."