Sunderland midfielder Kieran Richardson is convinced today's opponents Newcastle United are struggling with the pressure of this season's relegation battle.

"Things haven't turned out the way they wanted up there," said Richardson. "There's a lot of pressure on the derby game on both sides but I think Newcastle will feel it more than us.

"They are at home, we have already beaten them once this season and things haven't gone for them.

"I know it's more than 40 years since Sunderland have done the double over Newcastle but records like that are made to be broken. We've already seen one go this season because the win at our place in October was the first time we had beaten them on Wearside for 28 years.

"If there's a time for us to do the double over them and end that wait, I think it has to be now. We've got the players and, as long as we perform to our maximum, there's no reason why we can't beat our rivals again.

"Scoring that goal was one of the highlights of my career. It's up there with winning my first England cap.

"It's one of those moments I will treasure for the rest of my life. Maybe it's written in the stars for me to come back and score the winning goal again."