Sam Allardyce has told his Sunderland players there will be no margin for error in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of Carrow Road on Saturday.

The Black Cats head to Norfolk four points behind the Canaries, with a game in hand. They will be backed by a sold-out away support and with Allardyce's message ringing in their ears – and insisting the pressure is all on his own men.

'It is who will handle the pressure the best,' he said.

'I have been in this position many times and this club has come out of this position over the past four seasons and the players here need to manage the situation in the same way.

'We have to handle the pressure and produce better under that pressure than Norwich do.

'There is no margin for error anymore. We have to face up to that and if we do, then we can be successful.

'I believe they can, the players have to believe it themselves.

'It is a very experienced team and we need to deliver on that experience.

'Kicking off early is an advantage to both teams. There is much more pressure on us than Norwich though.'

Sunderland go into the game on the back of the disappointing 2-0 home defeat to leaders Leicester City.

Allardyce admits the lack of goals from his side in the last two matches is a growing concern.

'They have to convert the chances,' he told the club's website.

'We have gone two games without scoring, that is concerning for me.

'Handle the pressure, keep calm in those situations and be clinical in their finishing.'

Allardyce praised the club's fans for yet another sell-out away trip.

'I just want to remind our fans how much we appreciated their support against Leicester,' said Allardyce.

'I slipped up not mentioning them as much as I should have done but they stuck with us and supported us against a side that looks like they will go on and win the league. The support was fantastic and hopefully we can repay them at Norwich City.

'I know all the tickets have been sold and if we can get that all important win, then we can all come home very happy.'