Vito Mannone says Sunderland are still in touch with their relegation rivals and believes they have the experience to beat the drop.
With 15 games remaining, Sunderland are bottom of the table, five points from safety. They are yet to win in 2017 but have claimed draws against title-chasing Liverpool and Tottenham.
A year ago the Black Cats were 19th but avoided relegation and Mannone, who has reclaimed the No 1 spot at the Stadium of Light following Jordan Pickford's knee injury, is optimistic they can produce another escape act.
"It has been one of the craziest seasons that I've been through," Mannone told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Obviously we've had a lot of bad injuries but at the end of the day we kept the team together, we kept working hard, we went through difficult moments but we're still in touch with those above us, that's the main thing.
"I'm always trying to use my experience and after being involved in a few survivals I've learned a few things and I always try to pass it on to my team-mates, especially the boys who are new to the Premier League or just new to the team.
"We need to help them and to pass on as much as possible and be counted when it's needed."
Sunderland welcomed back winger Lynden Gooch in the 0-0 draw with Tottenham on Tuesday after two months out with an ankle injury, while Didier Ndong and Lamine Kone returned from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Black Cats boss David Moyes also brought in three new signings during the January window in Bryan Oviedo, Darron Gibson and Joleon Lescott, all of whom look set to feature again in Saturday's clash against fellow strugglers Crystal Palace.