Sunderland midfielder Elliot Embleton has admitted that he believes that the club will be in contention to seal promotion to the Championship later this year if they focus on their own results.

After failing to secure victory in their recent meetings with Wycombe Wanderers, Lincoln City and Accrington Stanley, the Black Cats got back on track on Saturday by sealing all three points in their showdown with Portsmouth.

Embleton went close to opening the scoring for Sunderland as his effort was saved by Pompey goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

The midfielder gave his side the lead just before the break as he fired home after being teed up by Ross Stewart.

Dan Neil nearly doubled Sunderland's advantage in the second-half as he fired wide.

Despite this miss, the Black Cats held on to secure a crucial win in-front of their supporters at the Stadium of Light.

As a result of this triumph, Sunderland moved up to second in the League One standings.

Making reference to his side, Embleton has admitted that the Black Cats need to focus on their own results in the quest to seal promotion.

Speaking to Chronicle Live, the midfielder said: "You have to just win games and forget what everyone else is doing.

"If you get three points they add up and obviously you have to hope other teams slip up.

"If we just focus on ourselves and our performances, training and recovery right, I'm sure we'll be up there at the end of the season."

The Verdict

Embleton's comments are spot on as Sunderland cannot afford to be distracted by what their promotion rivals are doing in League One.

Having helped Blackpool secure a return to the Championship last year during his loan spell at Bloomfield Road, the midfielder will be desperate to replicate this feat with the Black Cats.

In the 23 games that he has played for Sunderland this season, Embleton has produced a respectable total of eight direct goal contributions.

By adding to this particular tally on a regular basis in the Black Cats' upcoming league fixtures, the 22-year-old could play a key role in the club's push for promotion.