Sunderland midfielder Grant Leadbitter is determined not to be involved in an annual fight for Barclays Premier League survival.
The 23-year-old local boy and his team-mates head for West Brom on Saturday knowing a second successive victory will all but ensure their participation in the top flight for a third season.
"We want to stay in the Premier League and then push on next season and make sure we are not fighting relegation again," Leadbitter said.
"We all want to stay in this league. The Premier League is the best league in the world and everyone wants to play in it.
"Everyone wants to stay in the league, not just for ourselves and the club, but also for Ricky.
"He is a man-manager and he makes you want to be the best player that you can be. He is popular in the dressing room and we all want him to succeed."
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