Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says that ending the season in an automatic promotion spot will be asking a lot of the young Black Cats squad.
"You can tell that they have that outside thought that they can break into the top two, but it will be a big ask from where they are at the moment," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle.
Sunderland are currently eight points behind second-placed Sheffield United and six below Burnley in third.
And Gabbiadini sees the benefit of the Black Cats entering a play-off scrap for promotion.
"Anyone can win a play-off.