Sunderland manager Chris Coleman has heaped praise on the club's support as their relegation battle comes to a head.

Almost 2,200 Black Cats fans travelled to watch the relegation-threatened club draw 1-1 at Leeds United last weekend, and the former Wales boss described their dedication as "incredible".

"Our fans, again, were absolutely incredible, they stayed with us right to the end," he told the club's official website.

"That is one of the reasons why I joined Sunderland football club, a big club with big expectations.

"It is difficult for us at the minute, but we are a big football club and to come to Elland Road with that amount of fans making that amount of noise, they were behind the team all the way."

Sunderland are in 23rd place in the Championship, seven points away from a position of safety with five matches remaining.