Dean Windass jumps back into the heat of City's relegation fight, insisting: Don't give up on us.

City are nine points adrift of safety in second from bottom, and recent history is not on their side.

In the last five seasons, only once has the team in 23rd spot at Christmas escaped the drop.

Grimsby broke with tradition two years ago and overhauled Crewe to survive, but they were only two points astray in mid-term.

Brighton occupied the same position last season and eventually went down on the final day.

But Windass refuses to get too downcast and is urging his team-mates to drag themselves back from the brink.

Windass returns from suspension at Sunderland on Boxing Day, still firmly believing that City can

survive.

He said: "We're in a tough position but we've got to turn things round. It's no good us keeping saying that the performances have been quite good when we're still getting beaten.

"We're not going to change things until we start taking our chances again and cut out giving away silly goals all the time. But that's something we've been saying all along.

"It's wins we need now and we need them quickly. Sunderland would be a great place to start.

"It's a big arena in front of a big crowd and will be a good test for us. But they aren't playing particularly well at the moment and I definitely feel we've got a chance."

Windass added: "This time of the year is especially important because there are so many matches. We've still got half the season to go, although we're going to need almost play-off form to stay up.

"But I'm never going to give up. I'm proud that I've never been relegated as a player and I don't want to change that now.

"It's a horrible feeling when you are suspended and sat there watching the lads get beaten. I'm desperate to get back in there and hopefully I'll get the chance at Sunderland on Friday."

Nicky Summerbee misses out after suffering a small tear in his groin against Rotherham.

The winger said: "There's no reason why we can't go up there and get a result. I don't think Sunderland are as good as people think, they haven't really clicked into place yet.

"In the situation we're in now everybody has got to dig in and work for each other. We're fed up with losing and have got to work together to get out of it."