WAYNE Rooney has warned Sunderland that his Birmingham City side are getting better every week, despite the fact the former Manchester United and England striker is still looking for his first win since taking charge of the Blues.

Birmingham were sixth when John Eustace was surprisingly sacked last month but have slumped to 15th in the Championship table after a run of four games without a win since Rooney's appointment.

Despite his tough start, Rooney was hugely encouraged after picking up his first point in a 2-2 draw at home to leaders Ipswich last time out - though Birmingham did blow a two-goal lead, conceding twice late on - and, ahead of Saturday's lunchtime kick-off at the Stadium of Light, insists he sees signs of things coming together.

"I'm seeing improvement every week," said Rooney.

"There were good signs against Southampton last week and we improved on that against a good, tough Ipswich Town side.

"We got the team organised, on the front foot, and for 45 minutes we were excellent. That dropped a bit second half and we conceded two goals, which was obviously disappointing."

Sunderland are looking to make it three games without defeat in the Championship after the win over Norwich and draw at Swansea and key to their hopes this weekend will be containing summer transfer target Jay Stansfield.

The young Fulham forward was one of Sunderland's top striker targets in the summer window and at one stage it looked as though a move to the North East was on the cards for the in-demand frontman, before he eventually opted to move to Birmingham.

He's since impressed, scoring five goals so far, including the opener in the draw against Ipswich last time out, but Rooney doesn't want to put too much pressure on the 20-year-old.

He said:  “He's a player who is really important to us but I don't think we can put all our expectations on him to play every game and be the one to score every week. When you get players in on loan you have to understand that. But he is an important player for us.

“He's a very good finisher and I was delighted for him because his goal was a finish we were working on with him the day before the game and being a bit more relaxed in front of goal, not trying to hit it too hard but more placing it, looking for more accuracy. Exactly what we worked on is how he finished.”

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Birmingham will be without Krystian Bielik on Saturday after the midfielder picked up his fifth booking of the season against Ipswich. Lee Buchanan, Keshi Anderson and Tyler Roberts are all injured and aren't expected to be ready to return until after the international break, while Alfie Chang is a long-term absentee.

Ethan Laird returned for Birmingham against Ipswich after two months out and midfielder George Hall is also closing in on full fitness, but Rooney said: "At a push I probably could push for him for the weekend but I think because of the injuries we are probably better being a bit cautious and getting over the international break and then have him available after that.

"I think hamstrings are always difficult injuries with obviously all your power coming from there. That's why we're being a bit careful and a bit cautious, we don't want him to come back and do it again. We're building more power back up and making sure when he does come in, he's coming in ready to play."