Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips believes that his old side will struggle this season.

The Black Cats narrowly avoided relegation last season and Phillips, who played for the club from 1997 to 2003, thinks that Gus Poyet's team will once again be involved at the bottom end of the Premier League.

He told the Chronicle: "If I am being honest, I would say I can see another season of struggle for Sunderland this campaign.

"I have said the same about two of my other former clubs in Aston Villa and West Brom. I sincerely hope this is not the case as I have a huge soft spot for Sunderland and probably the most out of my former clubs and for good reason.

"That said, with my selfish head on, these three teams struggling would mean my current employers, Leicester, have a good chance of staying in the division."

Sunderland have drawn both their games so far this season.