Sunderland's players will need little in the way of extra motivation when Portsmouth arrive at the Stadium of Light this weekend, insists Jack Ross.
The Black Cats take on Pompey in a game which could have huge ramifications in the battle for automatic promotion from League One.
Table toppers Luton Town, Barnsley, Portsmouth, and Sunderland are all slugging it out in the hope of finishing in the top two, while those that miss out will have to take their chances in the play-offs.
Fourth-placed Sunderland conceded an injury-time equaliser at Peterborough United on Easter Monday which means their promotion fate is no longer in their own hands, but they have no time to feel sorry for themselves as they prepare to take on third-placed Pompey.
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Sunderland have already lost twice against Pompey this season, losing 3-1 at Fratton Park in December in the league and then losing on penalties in the EFL Trophy final at Wembley at the end of March.
And Ross says the fact they are facing Portsmouth again gives them all the incentive they need.
Asked whether his players will need lifting for the Pompey game, Ross said: "No, because of how the games this season have been against them and the crowd that is going to be in the stadium, because of the significance of the game for both teams.
"Barnsley won again [on Monday], Portsmouth don't have any margin for error either really as well, I think that will suit us, it will be a good game.
"We have to make sure we win every game, starting on Saturday.
"The last thing you want to do is somebody else slip up and you haven't taken advantage of it.
"The players will be fine, they will be OK, there was no magic words you can say straight after the [Peterborough] game to take away the soreness but they have got to be resilient and strong enough to deal with that disappointment and go again."
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Even if they avenge those defeats by winning on Saturday, they will still have to rely on Barnsley or Luton dropping points in their remaining fixtures.
However Ross says Sunderland can only focus on winning their final three games - with the Portsmouth game followed by trips to Fleetwood Town and Southend United next week - and hope.
Ross added: "We have three really big games, it doesn't matter what the perception of them is, Barnsley will have two difficult games, Portsmouth three.
"First and foremost this is a big game Saturday and we want to win it."
