Cisse full of goals, says Sbragia

Sbragia (left) is backing Cisse to return from the break and score some goals

Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia has backed striker Djibril Cisse to return from the international break with the goals to retain their top-flight place.

Cisse, 27, has failed to score in five games for the Wearsiders but Sbragia believes his efforts in training suggest he has rediscovered his form.

"This week Djibril has been electric, and he's done really well," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"He's done what we know he can do and he's looking bright."

The France international was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a woman outside a lap-dancing club in Newcastle on Tuesday.

Meanwhile the Black Cats travel to London to face West Ham United on Saturday, with a disappointing record in the capital over the last few seasons.

However, Sbragia's side have lifted their form, with creditable draws at Fulham and Arsenal, and an early season win under Roy Keane at Tottenham.

And the Scotsman hopes to maintain that improvement against Gianfranco Zola's Hammers side.

"At home the last year the record kept us up but this year we've struggled at the Stadium of Light, but there's less pressure away from home," he said.

"We've set a pattern in how we want to play and how want it to be done, we've changed things slightly and we're learning.

"We're getting decent performances, maybe the results haven't gone how I want them to, but bar the one game (at Chelsea away where they lost 5-0) they've been really consistent for me."