ROSS WALLACE wants Sunderland to rediscover the defensive strength that secured the Championship title last season after a leaky start to life in the Premier League.

The Black Cats head to West Ham this Sunday having failed to keep a clean sheet since the opening day of the season, when a 1-0 win was enough to secure three points against Tottenham.

Since then Sunderland have conceded 17 league goals in nine matches and Wallace wants an improvement to strengthen their hopes of staying in the top-flight.

Only Derby, Tottenham and Reading have conceded more than Roy Keane's men but Wallace is convinced they have the players capable of tightening things up.

"The most important thing is to stop conceding goals," said the young Scot. "We have to find the defensive strength that we had last year and stop letting goals in. We've looked okay at the back, but lapses in concentration during games have cost us. We need to stamp that out."

After the trip to West Ham, Sunderland face Fulham and Manchester City before the eagerly-awaited derby with Newcastle on November 10.

The Magpies' visit will coincide with the return from a three match suspension for defender Paul McShane and Wallace believes the Irishman's spirit is going to be a huge miss to the Sunderland team.

"Paul McShane has been outstanding since he has been here," said Wallace. "The fans have taken to him because he gets stuck in and wears his heart on his sleeve.

"That's what supporters want to see - passion from whole-hearted players - and he gives it week in week out. It's unfortunate he'll miss these games because he has done well and he is an important player for us.

"But we can deal with it. We have Greg Halford who can come in and I've no doubt that he will do a good job for the team."

Wallace has established himself as the first choice left-midfielder in the absence of £5.5m Kieran Richardson, and he is happy his partnership with left-back Danny Collins.

"I've got a good understanding with Danny, we've been playing well together. We've never been exposed down the left," said Wallacce.

"With Ian Harte having come in, there's real competition for places and that's what the manager wants at the club."