HE is only in his fifth full season as a senior player, so Grant Leadbitter is understandably desperate to avoid a second relegation besmirching his CV.

Leadbitter made 12 appearances as Sunderland crashed out of the top-flight in the 2005-06 season, and as a lifelong supporter of the club, the humiliation of being branded the worst team in Premier League history hit hard.

The Fencehouses-born midfielder has subsequently played an important role in rebuilding the Black Cats back into a top-flight force.

But with Sunderland just two points clear of the relegation zone ahead of today’s home game with Hull, Leadbitter admits the hard work will have been in vain if things do not go according to plan in the next six games.

“Relegation affects everyone’s lives,” he said. “It affects your lifestyle, it changes everything.

“I read a comment from Dwight (Yorke) this week saying he doesn’t want a relegation on his CV. I’m not long in the game, and I’ve already had it once - I don’t want it again.

“I was only young then. Dwight is going around saying to the boys, ‘I don’t want it there on my CV’, and that’s the case for everyone. None of us want it.”

If Sunderland are to avoid a second relegation in the space of four seasons, they are surely going to have to beat Hull this afternoon.

The Tigers have won just one of their last 16 league games, but Sunderland’s recent run is not much better and Leadbitter admits the Black Cats cannot afford to take anything for granted following recent home defeats against Manchester United and Wigan.

“People will look at Hull and say they’re in bad form, but we haven’t won for a long time either,” he said.

“We’re going to have to start winning games and soon if we’re going to pull away from it.

“It’s between five teams now - I don’t think you can discount West Brom either, they’re still in it. I would say other teams can still get sucked in, but they’ve been winning and we haven’t.”

■ Sunderland reserves’ game at Manchester United has been put back 24 hours to Thursday, April 30 (ko 7pm).

Sunderland play Derby in the final of the totesportcasino.com League Cup, at Pride Park, next Wednesday night (ko 7pm).