SUNDERLAND'S new £4.5m signing Claudio Reyna, itching to make his Premiership debut against Chelsea tomorrow, admitted last night: "I've got to be smart about it."

The 28-year-old United States captain ended a hectic 48 hours, in which he was involved in a plane scare before helping Glasgow Rangers win their UEFA cup tie in Paris, by signing before yesterday's noon transfer deadline, enabling him to play at the Stadium of Light.

But he knows he might have to pull back on the reins and be satisfied with a place on the substitutes bench.

He said: "Chelsea are a massive team and it would be a great way to get a debut.

"But I can't make a silly decision just because it is a huge game.

"If my body's not ready I don't think it would be smart - it is better to play the rest of the season rather than risk picking up an injury.

"As much as I want to play I really have to see how I feel after a night's sleep - it's been a rough time."

After a scary landing in Paris, Reyna played 120 minutes against Paris St Germain at the Park des Princes, watching the drama of a successful penalty shoot-out before flying back to Glasgow.

And after saying farewell to his Rangers' team-mates at Ibrox in the early hours, he was whisked to Wearside by car, grabbing only an hour's sleep on the way before completing medical formalities.

But New Jersey-born Reyna is champing at the bit to play in the premiership after successful stints in Germany with Leverkusen and Wolfsburg and two seasons at Rangers.

He said: "It has always been my ambition to play in the Premiership and that was the only reason for me leaving Rangers.

"It is a dream for any player to come and play in the Premier League - playing in Europe was great but here you are playing against the top teams week in an week out and the competition is intense."

Reyna has followed Sunderland's progress in the Premiership with great interest and reeled off the names of players he will soon be lining up with.

He said: "I've heard a lot of positive things about Sunderland from various people. It is a great set-up here and the club has marvellous fans and a superb stadium.

"They've had a couple of years in the Premiership and have done really well but the goal of the club is to get into the top six and establish themselves among the top teams.

"When I first heard they were interested in me I was flattered and I was all for it - my head has been spinning a bit while the negotiations have been going on.

"It was good to end my Rangers career on such a high note, helping them extend their European campaign beyond Christmas for the first time in eight years. But mentally it was tough because there were so many things going on and I am just pleased everything has worked out.

Reyna, whose £4.5 transfer fee equals the club record paid to Chelsea last season for Brazilian central defender Emerson Thome, first attracted Sunderland manager Peter Reid's attention three months ago.

"I asked about his availability and after that I was like a dog after a bone," said Reid. "He is a modern-day player with a great engine and a great desire to succeed."

The Wearside boss, who has been criticised by fans recently for his inactivity in the transfer market, is still looking to strengthen his squad.

He said: "I still have a few quid left and I'm always having a look. It's important to keep improving and I will be looking for more quality players."

Reid is likely to be patient with Reyna however, and the likelihood is that the American will come on at some stage of tomorrow's game as substitute.

Read more about Sunderland here.