Newly-appointed Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has told striker Jermain Defoe to improve on his all-round game if they are to beat relegation this season.

Allardyce replaced Dick Advocaat last week after the Dutchman had failed to secure a win in any of the Black Cats' first eight Premier League games, leaving them second from bottom in the standings.

Defoe, 33, had been an unused substitute in Sunderland's last three games, despite scoring twice in six league outings, and the 60-year-old says that goals are not enough to see him feature more often.

"There is always a place for a goalscorer but you cannot just be a goalscorer today, so that's something we need to address with Jermain," he is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

Allardyce's first game in charge comes on Saturday for the visit to West Bromwich Albion.