Steve Harper: “The foreign players understand what the derby is all about.
“They’ve all been here long enough now to know what it means to our fans, so there are no problems in that department.
“Morale has been good, and it’s a massive game.
“It takes on extra significance after the result at our place.
“That was a great day for everybody concerned and we go to Sunderland knowing they’ll be very up for it to say the least. We have to make sure that we are too.
“Both teams are coming into the game on the back of very disappointing cup results, but form goes out the window when it comes to derbies.
“They are a one-off and we are looking forward to it.
“I’m sure their fans will be roaring them on, and I’m sure the Geordies will make a lot of noise – the ones that are there, encouraging us to go there and get a positive result.
“What started a great week with six points in four days ended up with a disappointing cup exit, but that’s history. No point in looking back – we have to look forward to what is a massive game on Sunday.
“We’ve had two very good days training, put that result to bed Sunday and Monday, and come in Tuesday looking forward.
“People keep saying to me about the clean sheets, but I’ll take a 5-4 win any day.
“We need to get to a minimum of 40 points as soon as possible and that’s our aim. I’ll take a win however it comes.
“We go there to win the game.
“That’s our priority – and if you don’t win, don’t lose, but first and foremost we hopefully go there to do the double over Sunderland.”