Sunderland boss Gus Poyet feels that the Black Cats are a different side when striker Jermain Defoe is around.
The 32-year-old signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Premier League side last month, after having spent eleven months in the MLS turning out for Toronto FC.
Since then the England striker has played five matches for Poyet's side, having scored two goals.
Hailing the veteran striker's influence on the team since his arrival, Poyet stressed that his team are a stronger unit when Defoe is around.
"We are a different team with Jermain", Poyet was quoted as saying by the BBC.
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"I think it makes the team stronger, you know if you do your job Jermain will score goals."
The aim for Sunderland for now will be to keep the former Tottenham man as fit as possible and play him more often in order to bring out the best in him, according to the 47-year-old.
"It's important to keep him fit, but at the same time it's important to play him as much as possible."
Having started his career as a youngster with Charlton Athletic, Defoe has gone on to play for a number of clubs, including two spells at Tottenham Hotspur, where he scored a total of 138 goals in 357 matches.
Defoe's side are currently placed 14th in the league table with 24 points from 24 matches and will play Queens Park Rangers tomorrow.
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