Ferdinand has made eight appearances for Sunderland this season

Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand believes recent impressive form is evidence that the club is ready to launch a bid for a European place.

Victories against Chelsea and Manchester City have demonstrated the club's mettle, although Ferdinand says focus will be key to any success.

"We can look higher than the top 10," Ferdinand told BBC Newcastle. "But we need to take each game as it comes.

"You can see in the lads, we're not afraid to play against anyone."

Ferdinand added: "That showed last week against Chelsea and showed again against Everton, when we took the game to them, at times we played some great football.

"Hopefully we won't get a patch like we did last season, and if we don't then we're more than capable of finishing in the top seven."

Ferdinand's first team opportunities looked limited in pre-season when he failed to earn a squad number at the Stadium of Light and was listed on the club's official website among the reserve team players.

However, a pre-season fitness plan regained the interest of boss Steve Bruce and led to a first team recall for the former West Ham centre-half.

He initially operated as cover for the injured Nedum Onuoha at right-back, but more recently has featured in his preferred position of centre-half.

"As it's been said on many occasions I never wanted to leave this club," Ferdinand said.

"Working with a manager who was a defender themselves, I can only get better, so that was one reason.

"Coming out of the team, not through performances but through injury was very frustrating, and it's something I need to start working on off the pitch.

"I'm doing a lot of maintenance work to stop this happening to me, it's unfortunate to be honest."

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