Pepe Mel: West Brom focused on Sunderland victory

The Baggies head for the Stadium of Light effectively safe from the drop because of their superior goal difference.

But Norwich, who occupy the final relegation spot at present, could still overhaul Sunderland if the Black Cats fail to collect anymore points and the Canaries beat Arsenal at Carrow Road on Sunday.

Albion's agenda is now dominated by the future of Mel and a host of players with up to 11 potentially moving on at the end of the season.

But Mel, who will have talks about his own future after Sunday's final game of the season against Stoke at The Hawthorns, said: "West Brom are safe but there are two matches to play and we need points for the fans, for our job and to respect other teams.

"I hope for a good match against Sunderland but in the last month they have been a very strong team with good players and a good result.

"Sunderland is a massively important game. We want to show our respect to the competition, towards the league, towards Sunderland, towards ourselves as a club and also to Norwich so our only focus will be to win the game."

• Watch Pepe Mel preview Albion's clash away at Sunderland

The Black Cats have climbed from the foot of the table, seven points adrift of the safety line a month ago and now find themselves just a point away from securing safety.

They will be safe in any event unless Norwich beat Arsenal on Sunday, and Mel believes their extraordinary turnaround is a perfect advert for the Premier League.

"That is exactly what I like in the Premier League," said Mel. "Nothing can be taken for granted.

"There was a clear example in Crystal Palace v Liverpool on Monday.

"This is a reason the Premier League is the best. Crystal Palace were 3-0 down and got back to 3-3.

"Sunderland's form has been completely unexpected, no-one thought Sunderland would be able to do that but they have.

"I think Sunderland fully deserve to stay up but we will go out to win it.

"We have to win our game, we don't really focus on other players.

"Sunderland's form was completely unexpected. I think Sunderland fully deserve to stay up but we will go out to win it. But we have to play our game, we don't really focus on other teams."

Albion again have Liam Ridgewell and Zoltan Gera ruled out with knee injuries although Gareth McAuley is pushing for a starting place after returning from injury as an unused substitute in Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.

They are sweating on the fitness of Steven Reid (groin) and Billy Jones (hamstring), meaning Craig Dawson could again be pressed into service as a makeshift right-back.

And the former Rochdale man today urged Albion to finish their season on a high.

"We've got two games left and we just want to get as many points and finish as high up the league as we can," said the former England Under-21s man. "We'll push hard and take it as any normal game in the season."