Sunderland striker Darren Bent is banking on West Ham United fans to turn on their players this weekend.

Sunderland will attempt to build on their improved run of form - they have lost just one of their last seven games and are all but mathematically safe - and deepen the Hammers' woes.

Bent told the Sunderland Echo: "We have been coming flying out of the blocks in the last few games and we have to make sure we do that on Saturday.

"West Ham will look to do the same. I saw their draw at Everton last weekend and they obviously have a lot of spirit. Gianfranco Zola is a popular man and it seems the players are 100% behind him.

"But their crowd can turn very quickly, so if we can start well and hopefully get in front, we can make it difficult.

"The good thing is that West Ham and any Zola side will want to play football. It's not like we're going to a Stoke or Blackburn where there's not really much football.

"It should be a very good game."