Tuesday 24 November 2015 09:43, UK
Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe is hopeful he has not ruptured ankle ligaments after limping off in the win at Crystal Palace.
Defoe scored an 80th-minute winner in the 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park, live on Monday Night Football, but was substituted six minutes later.
"The only positive is that I can put weight on it. I just hope it's not ligaments," Defoe told Sky Sports.
"I've worked hard, kept making runs in behind, and I felt sharp throughout the game. People always say that when you work hard you get rewarded, and I think that happened - that little bit of luck that you need.
"I was just delighted when I went through and put it away."
The win lifted Sunderland up one place to 18th and to within a point of moving out of the relegation zone.
"It is massive win for us and so important that we keep getting points," Defoe said. "It was never going to be easy, the lads worked so hard though during the game.
"All our work in the international break has paid off. Our fitness and energy levels were good towards the end of the game and we looked a lot fitter, that is something the manager has mentioned."
