Sunderland midfielder George Honeyman believes the club’s recent trip to New York has brought the squad closer together for the relegation battle.

The Black Cats took advantage of a two-week break from competitive action by heading to the Big Apple for a team bonding session in the wake of their 4-0 home defeat against Southampton last time out.

Honeyman hopes the club can now kick on during the remaining months of the Premier League season. “We had a good five days together, getting away from it.

I think just a change of scenery makes a massive difference,” the 22-year-old said. “Being with each other 24/7 has a big impact, we’ve come back and I’ve never known the dressing room so loud.

“I think it has had the perfect effect so far, from what I can tell.” David Moyes’ men are currently bottom of the Premier League standings, two points adrift of safety, and they face a trip to Goodison Park to take on in-form Everton on Saturday.

The Toffees are unbeaten in their last eight top-flight games while they also recorded a 6-2 victory over Sunderland when the two teams last met on Merseyside in November 2015.

The Black Cats are priced at 7.50 to repeat that success on Saturday while Everton are available at 1.40 and the draw is 5.00.