Sunderland midfielder Max Power has suggested that "a bit of love" from the fans could help teammate Will Grigg end his goal drought.

The striker has scored just five times in 28 appearances for the Black Cats after joining from Wigan for £4 million in January.

The 28-year-old has featured in every game for Sunderland this season but has not found the net since mid-April.

The Northern Irishman has a good record in League One, having scored 100 goals in 283 appearances.

Speaking to Chronicle Live, Power indicated that the love and support of the fans could be key in helping Grigg turn things around at the Stadium of Light.

He said: “I feel for Griggy a little bit at the moment.

“Strikers go through these spells and I think it's important sometimes to realise that.

“I've trained with them this morning and he scored umpteen goals and, of course, people will say 'but that's only training' but it's great to see him scoring chance after chance. I know he is only one goal away from going on a run.

"Hopefully everybody sticks with him because a football pitch can be a lonely place sometimes when things are not going for you.

"I'm very good friends with Charlie [Wyke]–we room together for away games and our families went on holiday this summer–and I've seen him low at times last season when he wasn't scoring, but to be fair the fans got behind him, really backed him, and that's an example of what happens when you give players a bit of love–it helps.”

He added: “He's a good lad, he wants to turn it around, he is desperate to do well here and hopefully that happens sooner rather than later.

"Confidence is a massive thing in football and I'm sure that when he gets that first goal he will be off and running.”

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The Verdict

Up to this point, Grigg has been a real disappointment for the Black Cats.

Given his record in the division, he looked a smart addition when he was brought in to replace Josh Maja but things just haven’t worked out.

Sunderland have got a very passionate fan base and it is understandable that they would be frustrated with their big-money signing’s lack of goals but I think Power is right, continuing to support him could provide a big boost to get him back scoring.

Grigg has scored 19 or more goals in a single season in the third tier of English football on four occasions and if he can return to that sort of form for the Black Cats he should be a great addition to their promotion push.