Cana has become a popular figure with Sunderland fans following his arrival

Sunderland captain Lorik Cana has warned his team-mates they cannot afford to let up in their performances regardless of the opposition.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat by strugglers Birmingham City came as a shock after impressive results against Liverpool and Manchester United.

"It was very disappointing. After good results we can't keep our level of performance," Cana told BBC Newcastle.

"It's going to be hard this season if we can't change that."

Steve Bruce's side are currently eighth in the Premier League with 16 points from 10 games, just three points behind Tottenham Hotspur who lie fourth.

Meanwhile the Wearsiders are back in action again on Tuesday with the visit of Aston Villa to the Stadium of Light in the Carling Cup.

A club like Sunderland has to take all the opportunities to win something and be in a final Sunderland skipper Lorik Cana

And the Albania international sees the cup competitions as an ideal route to European football.

"It's a good way to be in European competition next season, and especially when we have an opportunity to play at home and do well at home," he said.

"We have the support of our fans, I'm confident and we have to keep up our level of play.

"A club like Sunderland has to take all the opportunities to win something and be in a final. We have to play the game to win."

Sunderland's last appearance in European competition came in 1973/74 in the wake of their FA Cup final victory against Leeds United with entry to the European Cup Winners Cup.

The club beat Hungarian side Vasas Budepest 3-0 over two legs, before losing Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.

Cana joined Sunderland from French side Marseille in July 2009 for a fee in the region of £5m.

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