Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, subject of a £6m bid from former club West Ham last month, insists he is only thinking about Sunderland's survival as the Black Cats seek to move off the bottom of the table with victory over Southampton on Saturday.

The 34-year-old, who has scored five league goals in as many matches this year, said: "It's always nice when you're wanted. But I've been a part of this game for a long time and that's part and parcel of it now, so it was easy for me to see it and just think, 'Okay, that's nice people want me, but I've got to be focused on Sunderland'.

"I realise how important the goals are, so I totally dedicate myself to preparing in the correct way so I'm ready to go."