Former Sunderland midfielder Jason McAteer hopes his old side playing at Wembley in the League Cup final can boost their league form.
Sunderland face Manchester City in the League Cup final at Wembley this afternoon in search of a first major honour since winning the FA Cup in 1973.
McAteer made 53 appearances for the Black Cats between 2001 and 2004 and he hopes that, win or lose, Sunderland playing in the League Cup can help boost their league form as they look to fight relegation from the Premier League.
Sunderland currently sit 18th in the Premier League but just one point adrift of West Brom in 17th with a game in hand.
The Black Cats haven't won in the league since beating Newcastle United 3-0 at St James' Park in the Tyne-Wear derby at the start of February, but have continued their run in the FA Cup after beating Southampton 1-0 in the fifth round of the competition.
Cup competitions have come as a welcome distraction from the club's dismal league form this season and, whether they come away winners or not at Wembley later today, McAteer hopes that Sunderland can use the experience to help their fight against relegation.
He wrote on his official Twitter account: “Whatever the result. Hope it inspires them (Sunderland) to kick on in the league an stay up.”
In 2011, Birmingham City famously shocked Arsenal to win the League Cup, but then suffered relegation to the Championship and just last season Wigan lifted the FA Cup, beating Man City in the final, and suffered the drop just days later.
