AFTER the frustration of missing out on the Championship’s automatic promotion spots following a disappointing seven-match run to end the season, Jack Ross is desperate for Sunderland to celebrate at the end of three more games during a gruelling campaign.

One win since April 6, losing three and drawing two, has given the Black Cats a headache in the promotion race because not only did they lose ground on the top two, they also dropped to fifth and suffer a huge double header against Portsmouth.

Pompey have not been beaten by Sunderland on the three occasions they have met this season; with a win in the League One meeting at Fratton Park before Christmas followed by a penalties triumph in the Checkatrade Trophy and a draw at the Stadium of Light.

Now the pair have to go head-to-head again when the two will have to head to opposite ends of the country for the two legs, hoping to seal a second Wembley appearance of the season when they will face either Charlton or Doncaster Rovers.

Sunderland have already played 58 matches, while Portsmouth – who fared better in the FA Cup than their opponents – will be playing the 61st game of a whopping campaign when they appear the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening. Potentially, Sunderland might have played 61 games if they play the final, so is fatigue an issue for both clubs?

Ross said: “It’s a long season in these terms, some other clubs, like Portsmouth because of their run, their run is the same if not more. The reality when you come out of the Premier League is you will have a heck of a long season if you progress. If you do achieve something you will have to work hard for them.

“I speak all the time about consistency, we have done that all season, that’s why we have remained up there. There was frustration in the last few games, Peterborough and Portsmouth we were happy with how we have played. Things haven’t fallen our way.

“You can look back at certain things and how things could have panned out. If the group can produce these games then they will give themselves a chance of winning games.”

Ross resisted making a raft of changes at Southend on Saturday, but he did make a few. Key winger Aiden McGeady did not appear in either of the last two defeats in preparation for a play-off battle.

And the Sunderland manager knows he has the support from above. He said: “Stewart (Donald, the owner) enjoys the nature of it, he is a real football fan as well. He would like to be in a different position in these last two games but he has embraced where we are.”

But what Ross – whose side will head to Fratton Park for the second leg on May 16 - is sure of is that Sunderland as a club is ready for Championship football and that he will be doing everything he can to get them by the end of this month.

“Yes it’s ready,” said Ross. “There will be a different opinion, some might have thought we have done better than we thought last summer because of the upheaval. We want to be promoted. If we do get promoted then we will have to take stock of what is needed to be competitive in the Championship, the aim and the want is to go up at the first attempt.”

Sunderland’s owner Donald, meanwhile, insists Will Grigg was always the club’s major attacking target in January after Josh Maja was sold to Bordeaux.

Donald said: “Start of the window he was our number 1 target. I was asked if I could please make it happen - and not be the tea lady or groundsman! Do you seriously think we would sign a player the manager doesn’t want? Regardless of cost - £3m actually.”