SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid last night saluted the bravery of his star goalkeeper, Thomas Sorensen, who will play in this afternoon's home game against Blackburn Rovers only a week after breaking his nose on international duty for Denmark.

The 25-year-old looked certain to miss the Premiership game after being knocked out after ten minutes of the World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland and, with reserve keeper Jurgen Macho out of action with a thigh injury, the Wearsiders would have been plunged into a defensive crisis - especially when Frenchman Bernard Lama rejected a desperate 11th-hour loan bid.

But, much to Reid's relief, Sorensen declared he would be fit to play after taking part in a final training session yesterday.

"It is a very brave decision by Thomas and it is a massive, massive bonus for us," admitted Reid, who revealed that Sorensen will not wear any special protection on his nose.

"He has come through training and I don't envisage any problems.

"He has been to see a specialist and now it is just the lad's mentality and obviously he is strong on that."

Reid emphasised: "I don't think it is a risk - if it was a risk I wouldn't do it.

"The boy is fit and he has played before when he hasn't been 100 percent fit.

"This time it has been highlighted but he will come in and do a job for us."

Sorensen has played a major role in Sunderland re-establishing themselves in the Premiership and has proved a bargain buy since moving in a £500,000 transfer from OB Odense in 1998.

Reid certainly appreciates the progress which has been made by Sorensen, who replaced the legendary former Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel in the Danish team.

Reid said: "He has been a great keeper for us.

"He was relatively inexperienced when he first joined us but he has learnt his trade here.

"When a keeper makes a mistake it is highlighted because it usually costs you - but you can count on one hand how many he has made.

"When he makes one it is a shock because he has been so good for us."

Sorensen dropped a rare clanger at Craven Cottage when his mistake put Fulham on the road to a 2-0 victory - but he more than made amends with two magnificent saves in the 1-1 draw at Newcastle four days later.

With Austrian-born Macho still hindered by a thigh injury received in the warm up to a reserve game last week, up-and-coming Northern Ireland Under-21 international Malcolm Ingham is named as substitute goalkeeper in a game where Sunderland will show at least two changes to the side which played their last game at St James' Park.

With Scottish international Don Hutchison having joined West Ham in a controversial £5.25m deal and Brazilian defender Emerson Thome suspended, Reid will recall exciting Argentinian winger Julio Arca, while the central defensive slot could go to 20-year-old George McCartney, who made his full debut for Northern Ireland in the 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Iceland in midweek.

Reid demonstrated his confidence in the youngster by playing him at Fulham and was delighted with the report he received from Windsor Park in midweek.

Reid said: "The lad has got pace and by all accounts was outstanding for Northern Ireland. It is great to be able to buy players but I also love to see young players coming through. It is terrific and I think we have another coming through in George McCartney."

He added: "It is worrying when you have players away on international duty but it was great for the lad to play at the highest level for his country.

"It wasn't as though it was a nothing game - Iceland were desperate to get something from the game and it was a difficult one. But the lad has come through his senior international debut with flying colours."

If he is given another chance to play alongside Jody Craddock in the heart of defence McCartney could find himself having a run in the team because Thome has undergone a cartilage operation which could keep him out of action for three or four weeks.

* Scottish B international Alex Rae is hoping that the departure of Don Hutchison will open a first team door for him after a seven-month injury absence.

He said: "It has been a long haul but I feel very strong at the moment.

"Don Hutchison is a quality player and got a lot of goals for us but his departure could give me the opportunity to get back in the team - they are the type of breaks you need and hopefully I can take my chance if it comes."

* West Ham defender Christian Dailly welcomed the signing of Hutchison and the return from injury of striker Freddie Kanoute as he savoured the prospect of playing at Derby for the first time since leaving there three years ago.

''I've been back a couple of times but didn't play because I was injured so I'm really looking forward to it.

''Don is a great signing. He has been playing great for Scotland and hopefully he can come and do the business for us.

''He is a good all-round footballer and he can score goals. Any team needs people like that,'' added Dailly after returning with Hutchison from Scotland's 2-0 defeat in Belgium which effectively ended any lingering hopes of World Cup qualification.

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