AN HONEST Thomas Myhre wants the Championship clash with Rotherham to survive the big freeze tonight, so Sunderland can prove to their fans they are as proud as ever to pull on the red and white shirt.

Myhre was in goal at Brighton on Saturday as the Black Cats lost further touch with the top two in the race for promotion to the Premiership - a defeat the Norwegian has described as "possibly the worst of my career".

Sunderland failed to turn in a good display against the ten men of Brighton, who had Adam Virgo sent off after 30 minutes, and Myhre believes the whole squad have to forget about their weekend failings and recapture their best form against struggling Rotherham.

The Millers, under the caretaker management of Alan Knill, are 13 points adrift of safety and their only win this year was at Millwall on January 3.

Myhre claims Sunderland have to make the most of the opposition's lowly position and be ready for a scrap tonight.

"The fans travelled all the way down to Brighton and it was disappointing for them too. You feel sorry for them when you see so many and you feel you should pay them back for their travel," said the former Everton keeper.

"You should be proud of playing for Sunderland and it will be time for us to show a bit of pride on Tuesday. The only good thing to come out of Saturday is that we have a game so soon afterwards to put things right.

"Saturday was one of the biggest disappointments I have ever had as a footballer. Brighton are a team we should have beaten, especially when it was 11 versus ten.

"At certain times we need to roll our sleeves up and Tuesday will be no different.

"Rotherham will get ten men behind the ball and the longer it goes without us scoring they will hope it creeps into our minds. If you are not getting 100 per cent from every player you won't win a game."

He added: "This is only a light dust of snow compared to what we get in Norway. I hope the game goes ahead. We are more used to it in Norway and it's difficult to see how it comes to a standstill here."

Sunderland were only able to do light training yesterday because of the conditions but manager Mick McCarthy did find time to review Saturday's debilitating defeat at the Withdean Stadium with his squad.

Second-placed Wigan are three points ahead of McCarthy's men while leaders Ipswich have stretched their lead over the Wearside outfit to six points following their draw at Preston.

The weekend's results have left the Sunderland boss claiming that six points is a necessity from their next two home matches - against Rotherham tonight and Cardiff on Saturday - if they are to keep up their hopes of an automatic spot.

"We want this game on and providing it doesn't snow too much I think it will be," said McCarthy, whose side lost for the first time in five games at Brighton.

"We have had bad results before and I don't think we become a bad side because we lost down there. We are as good as anyone in this league.

"We have to make sure we don't lose too many more. Everybody was so surprised that we didn't go and beat Brighton.

"If we have any designs on finishing in the top two then we need to win the next two games. I'm not saying if we lose the next two that's it.

"If you say we need to take eight or nine wins from our remaining games then they could come from anywhere.

"In that run we have to go to Ipswich and we could win down there and we could pick up wins elsewhere. But home games are vital and that's why we need to win these next two."

McCarthy, who will have Sean Thornton and Stephen Wright suspended for the Cardiff match, is likely to keep faith with the same side that lost at Brighton as he believes one blip doesn't make them into bad players.

He thinks the fact Rotherham are fighting against relegation could help Sunderland's cause.

"If they think they can stay up they might want to be more positive. A draw won't do me any favours and it will suit me if they come to us looking to take the three points," he said.

Meanwhile, Liam Lawrence has restarted full training this week after recovering from an ankle operation.

Knill will select from an unchanged squad.

Rob Scott is back in full training following his recent shoulder injury, but the game is likely to come too soon for him.

Martin McIntosh is the only other confirmed absentee, with Paul Warne available. The experienced striker has not featured since the 1-1 draw with Crewe on January 22.

Read more about Sunderland here.