DAN Neil hasn't given up on Sunderland's play-off hopes and says the tough final trio of games can play into the hands of the Black Cats.

Tony Mowbray's side spurned the opportunity to move into the Championship's top six on Tuesday night when they failed to hold on to their lead against spirited Huddersfield.

In reality, it leaves Sunderland probably having to win all three of their remaining games to force their way into the play-offs.

But the fact the last three games are all against rivals in West Brom, Watford and Preston could work to Sunderland's advantage, says Neil.

And regardless of what happens in the final weeks of the season, Neil says it's been a "brilliant" season for Sunderland - especially when you consider the injury problems they've had to deal with.

"I think probably a few weeks ago when we had that little bit of a tough spell everyone thought that the play-offs were out of our hands, and we have managed to claw ourselves back into contention," he said.

"It was a disappointing result against Huddersfield but it’s another point on the board, we still have to play everyone around us that is trying to get in the play-offs.

"If we can take points from them, they are not gaining any, it’s not over until the final whistle at the end of the season. We are going to give it our all to get as close to the play-offs or in them."

What could also work in Sunderland's favour is the fact two of their remaining three games are on the road.

Mowbray's men have picked up more points on their travels than they have at the Stadium of Light this season, so the trips to the Hawthorns on Sunday and Deepdale on the final day of the season will be relished.

"For some reason our away form has been really good this year," said Neil.

"I’m not sure what I can put that down to, maybe teams are opening up more when they’re at home and we’re away.

"I definitely feel when we’re at home teams sit in a lot more and try to hit us on the break, and maybe that’s one of the reasons our home form hasn't been as good this year and we haven’t quite found a fix for that.

"We have two away games left and one big game at home against Watford. I’ll always fancy us against any team in the division, starting with West Brom on Sunday."

It's no secret that Sunderland have had to deal with a string of injury setbacks this season, making the fact they're still in with a shout of a top six finish in their first year back in the Championship all the more impressive.

Star striker Ross Stewart has missed the majority of the season, captain Corry Evans has been absent since January while others such as Dan Ballard, Aji Alese and Niall Huggins have faced long spells on the treatment table and are currently out of action.

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Neil said: "We’ve said this quite a lot this year but injuries have been a big factor in our season.

"I think if you take that into consideration and put it into context I think it’s been a brilliant season for the team and the club.

"It would be nice to really push on and give the fans something to get excited about on the last day of the season.

"At the end of the day the bodies who we’ve got is who we’ve got and we need to make do with who we’ve got and go wherever we’re going and give it our all in these last three games."

Neil has enjoyed a hugely impressive first season in the Championship, further establishing himself as a key man for Sunderland and one of the most consistent midfielders in the second tier.

With his family watching on from the stands, the 21-year-old made his 100th Sunderland appearance against Huddersfield.

He said: "It was a very proud day for me and my family. I’ve always wanted to play for this club.

"To say that I’ve played 100 and hopefully counting is a massive achievement for me. I’m very proud and so are my family.

“I think everyone knows that I have supported the club for a very long time and it is a boyhood dream to reach these amount of games.”