SUNDERLAND contract rebel David Bellion is ready to throw his weight behind the Wearsiders' Premiership survival bid.

Manager Howard Wilkinson yesterday revealed that the French front-runner is in his thinking for tomorrow's FA Cup fifth-round visit of Watford following clear-the-air talks.

Bellion, who has refused a new three-year deal and hopes to join Manchester United this summer when he becomes a free agent, was at the centre of controversy three weeks ago after going AWOL.

The 20-year-old returned to France on the pretext that his mother was ill and he was not "mentally right'' to play for Sunderland.

Black Cats chairman Bob Murray claimed United - rebuffed when they made an offer for Bellion rising to £1m - had unsettled the player and accused them of "despicable'' and "shabby'' conduct after writing a letter of complaint to the Premier League.

Bellion reported back to Wearside and now, after scoring the only goal in Monday's reserve-team derby victory over Newcastle, he is pushing for a senior recall.

Wilkinson even roped him into a press conference yesterday to confirm that he wanted to be involved between now and the end of the season.

Earlier, Wilkinson said: "He has now come to terms with the situation.

"He's told me that he wants to play for Sunderland and help the club in its current position.

"I have no reason to doubt that. If necessary, he will be used. He's a young boy with a young boy's dreams and aspirations, and romance - and maybe a young boy's naivety. We have to understand that at times.''

Meanwhile, centre-back Emerson Thome is facing three weeks out with a medial ligament strain.

The injury-jinxed Brazilian, plagued by knee problems, limped off when he made his first Premiership appearance for over a year in the 4-1 defeat at Tottenham last Saturday.

But it is not the knee on which he has undergone three operations in the last two years.

Wilkinson said: "It's a straightforward injury, so far as they can be straightforward.

"But it's a blow because you want as many fit players as possible at this stage."

Joachim Bjorklund, who has been out for a month with a hamstring injury, could take over from Thome, while Phil Babb, rested at Tottenham with a nagging groin problem, is also available.

Striker Tore Andre Flo, who has been troubled by a niggling ankle injury, could be fit to start against Watford after Norway agreed to pull him out of their friendly defeat by Greece on Wednesday.

Wilkinson explained: "We made Tore available and he travelled for the game, but I spoke to the Norway coach and said that he was having ongoing treatment and if he played, he would not be fit for Saturday.

"As it was only a friendly, I asked the Norway coach to use his discretion and I'm grateful that he allowed Tore to travel back and continue his treatment programme here, so that he has the best possible chance of being OK for Saturday."

Long-term injury victims Jason McAteer, Thomas Butler and Matthew Piper are also available for the Cup tie.

But Gavin McCann (calf) and Marcus Stewart (thigh) are doubtful. Wilkinson added: "The good thing is a number of players who have been out injured have had games and are in contention.

"Jason played in the reserves this week and is training well.

"Thomas and Sean Thornton came back from the Ireland Under-21s' game in Scotland feeling fine, Matt is also fit and looking strong in training, and Joachim is back.''

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