SLOVAKIAN outcast Stanislav Varga gets his make-or-break chance for Sunderland at high-flying Bolton this afternoon.

And if the giant central defender does not earn himself an extended run in the team he could well be bidding farewell to Wearside.

Varga finds himself in the unusual position of being a regular for his country yet unable to command a regular club place - and his international coach has warned him that the situation cannot continue.

He only comes into the side at the Reebok Stadium because and injury to Swiss fullback Bernt Haas forces manager Peter Reid to switch the versatile Darren Williams from the centre of defence. And with record buy Emerson Thome still recovering from a cartilage injury, Varga will get the nod in front of young Northern ireland international George McCartney to play alongside the consistent Jody Craddock.

It is the first time that Varga has been in the Premiership squad this season, his only previous involvement being in the 4-2 Worthington Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday earlier this month.

"It has been very disappointing for me because I want to play football and I want to play for the first team," he said. "I feel good, I feel strong and I think I should be playing in the Sunderland team, but this will be the first time I have been involved in the first team squad for a Premiership game this season.

"I have spoken to the manager and he has said he will give me a second chance."

Varga, who cost a bargain £750,000 when he joined the club from Slovan Bratislava, knows that his future is very much on the line.

He said: "If I am in the team I will never move from Sunderland.

"If I take my chance against Bolton and win back my place I will be happy again. But if not then my future will be in the balance."

Varga has been told by the Slovakian national coach that he needs to be playing regular Premiership football to hold on to his international place.

He said: "Until the last game I had captained my country for 15 games but I have been told by the coach that he wants me to be playing regular first team football.

"He has made it clear that if I don't play for my club I won't play for my country and that is very important to me."

Varga looked a brilliant signing when he was Man of the Match on his Premiership debut against Arsenal in the opening game of last season, delighting the Stadium of Light crowd.

But then he received a serious leg injury which required an operation and over 40 stitches. He made an enouraging return, but was then knocked back by a groin injury which slowed him down.

Now, fully fit again, he is determined to impress Reid and win back his place, though he knows it will be a difficult task.

He said: "There is a lot of competition here and I know that Emerson Thome will soon be playing again after his operation. The competition is good for the team because it keeps everyone on their toes and it is good for the manager."

Reid was disappointed by Varga's performances in pre-season and said: "When he played in the pre-season games he has not played well. This is a chance for him to play well."

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