Sunderland head coach Clare Robinson admits tomorrow’s game with Reading could give an early indication of where the WSL 2 title could end up at the end of the season.

After opening their Super League account with a 4-2 win at North-East rivals Durham on Thursday, the Lady Black Cats entertain a side that has also been backed to challenge for promotion this season at the Hetton Centre (Eppleton CW).

Reading, managed by former Arsenal midfielder and academy coach Jayne Ludlow, have recruited several players from the Gunners and they started with an impressive 3-0 win over Yeovil Town on Wednesday night.

“They’ve got Jayne and I’ve got all respect for her,” said Robinson. “She was a dedicated player and she will no doubt have instilled that into her players.

“We’ll certainly be up for the challenge. That’s the important game now, we have to take each game at a time. It’ll be a big game and it would be nice to get a big crowd.

“I think it’s how players and staff deal with people’s expectations. It can come as a negative but we will go out there, have a good game plan and give them respect, but enough to work hard against them.

“This will be one of the tight games and the ones that will be the most important to both teams.”

Robinson will check on the fitness of goalkeeper Rachael Laws, who was stretchered off with an ankle injury in the win over Durham. Helen Alderson will deputise should Laws not make it.

Durham general manager Lee Sanders believes his side can take plenty of positives from their opening day defeat into tomorrow’s game against Millwall at New Ferens Park.

He said: “Nobody likes to get beat in the first game, however I think a lot of the players grew up and stood up to Sunderland.

“We can take something from it we weren’t just cut apart all the time. We’ve scored two goals and had chances and I think we can take plenty into our next game and for the rest of the season.

“We don’t know a great deal about Millwall. I think the London teams will be a bit of an unknown quantity because there’s been a lot of movement down there with players.

“You don’t know what we’re going to come up against but we’ve got to treat every game like we did Sunderland.”

N Sunderland supporters will be able to enjoy a host of activities ahead of the 2pm kick-off, including face painting, balloon artists, a speed cage to test their shooting skills and free ice-cream for children.

The game is free to all SAFC season card holders on production of a valid 2013-14 season card, with admission for non-season card holders priced at £4 for adults and £1 for concessions. Tickets are available on the gate from 12.30pm.

Tickets for Durham’s game, also a 2pm kick-off, are available on the gate and also in advance at durham.fawsl.com/tickets.html. They are priced £4 for adults and £2 for concessions.