ANDY Reid does not fit the profile of a modern day footballer, but manager Roy Keane has no worries about his commitment or his talent after learning Sunderland's latest fans' favourite also enjoys a relegation battle.

Since Reid arrived from Charlton for £2.5m in January there has been ongoing debate about the player's weight.

But while he might still be slightly on the chubby side after arriving unfit, the 25-year-old has proven that his fitness has improved - so much so that he can play almost 96 minutes.

It was deep, deep into injurytime when Carlos Edwards' hopeful cross into the area shaved the head of Anton Ferdinand before dropping invitingly for the unmarked Reid.

The former Tottenham and Nottingham Forest winger calmly volleyed a terrific first goal for the club, which propelled Sunderland seven points clear of the relegation zone.

And while Reid's career had taken a bit of a dive after failing to make a name for himself at Tottenham, Keane is convinced that is to Sunderland's gain.

Provided Sunderland stay up this year, Keane is intent on bringing top names to the Stadium of Light next season - all with the mentality to deal with the clamour for success on Wearside.

Reid, his manager believes, is of that ilk.

"I played with Andy for Ireland.

I knew he was a good player,"

said Keane. "He's a laid back type of lad and I thought mentally he'd be fine in front of our crowds. Sir Alex Ferguson was always asking whether players could perform in front of 50,000 people and not many can.

"Some players don't produce because they kind of want to stay playing in front of 15,000-20,000.

They're in the comfort zone.

Andy loves his football. If you're going to be a top footballer, you've got to love the game.

"You've got to love coming into training - I'm not saying Reid loves coming in to training - but he obviously loves his football.

"I'm never sure Tottenham is the ideal choice for a young player, because they buy so many, but he's also been at Nottingham Forest and Charlton. He can handle the ball. Every day since Reidy came to the club, nine times out of ten he's been the best on the training pitch. I always thought he might give us something at the end."

Keane claimed that Reid was not at his best but, despite an over-tendency to try the trophyball, his range of passing has helped to bring the best out of Sunderland.

He will be among the squad hitting the training ground twice in Spain today, with two double sessions booked in for them over the next 48 hours.

The squad flew out just a couple of hours after Saturday's heroics against West Ham, with the intention of keeping the players' minds right ahead of this Saturday's trip to Fulham.

A win there and Sunderland will almost certainly be safe - if they have not done enough already.

"We were desperate for a decent result before the trip and the flight for the players' sake was much nicer on Saturday night,"

said the manager. "We're going to a training camp, not for a jolly.

We don't work that way. We are going to train, we're nowhere near a beach and we have proper facilities."