Nigel Pearson admits he is concerned with Leicester's loss of form but insisted he has faith in his misfiring team.

The Foxes have dropped into the Premier League relegation zone after six games without a win, their last defeat coming at the hands of Saints at St Mary's.

They have also failed to score in their last four outings ahead of Saturday's visit of Sunderland.

But while he remains worried by their run former Saints boss Pearson insisted the Foxes can arrest their slide.

"It's always a concern if you are unable to break the cycle, which we have been unable to do," he said.

"I have confidence and faith in my own players and it's important we continue to work hard and look for the answers.

"We are preparing for a game now so there is little to gain and little mileage in looking at the negative aspects of it.

"I try to do things in a similar way but if you are on a good run or a bad run it is still important to look at those games with a bit of clarity.

"I think we know where we have fallen short, we have been punished for mistakes in our own box and not taken our chances.

"Those are things we will continue to rectify."

Pearson has Liam Moore (illness) and Wes Morgan (heel) available despite seeing them pull out of international duty and keeper Ben Hamer is back after a finger injury, Dean Hammond is out with a calf problem while Matt Upson has returned to training following his foot injury but will not feature.

Leicester would go above Sunderland on goal difference with a win but Pearson warned the Black Cats are a better side than the one thumped 8-0 by Southampton last month.

"You take out the Southampton game and they are a very well organised team," he said.

"People underestimate the qualities they have. We do need to get back to winning ways for a number of reasons but, in terms of reigniting the confidence in our side, that is always going to be an important factor with how we are going to go about the game.

"We have to try to play our own game as well and that's what we'll endeavour to do.

"They are a better side than people give them credit for. Knowing Gus (Poyet) he knows we need a result and he'll be expecting a tough game."