Tuesday 16 December 2014 16:13, UK
Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher is targeting another derby success when they face local rivals Newcastle in Sunday’s Sky Live clash.
The Scotland international scored in last season's 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light but missed successive 3-0 wins at St James' Park through injury and is keen to play his part in another historic occasion.
"I've missed both 3-0s when we've been there, so I'm looking forward to it,” Fletcher told the Sunderland Echo.
“I wasn't even at St James' for both of them. I was stuck watching television with a moon boot on. But we've got confidence that we can go there and win it again. We've done it before, so why can't we?
We've got confidence that we can go there and win it again. We've done it before, so why can't we?
"There's a lot of confidence around the team at the moment, despite the draws. We're keeping the door shut at the back, which is great for the defenders. We know if we can get a few goals, then we'll pick up a win."
Sunderland have drawn 10 of their 16 Premier League games this season, their most recent coming on Saturday when West Ham left the Stadium of Light with a point.
Gus Poyet’s side have won only two league games and while that is a cause for concern, Fletcher prefers to focus on the fact they are not losing too many matches.
"It depends how you look at it. We got another point on the board against West Ham. I know we've got a lot of draws this year, but last year we were losing these games,” he added.
"Now we're keeping the door shut at the back, which is good, and we just need to take our chances and convert them into wins."
See if Sunderland can make it four in a row against rivals Newcastle. Coverage of the game at St James’ Park begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 12:30pm on Sunday.
