MARK Lynch is determined to use Sunderland's next outing as his chance to oust team-mate Stephen Wright from the right-back spot.

The former Manchester United trainee has made just one Championship start since his summer move from Old Trafford.

But that tally is almost certain to be doubled when Millwall visit the Stadium of Light on October 16, as Wright will be serving a one-match suspension.

Mick McCarthy's first-choice full-back picked up his fifth booking of the season in last weekend's bore draw with Derby, handing his understudy a rare chance to impress.

"I've got to look at the Millwall game as a chance for me to show what I'm capable of," said Lynch, whose solitary appearance for the Red Devils came in a Champions League defeat to Deportivo La Coruna.

"Sometimes you need a bit of a break like that and, while it's unfortunate for Stephen, I've got to see it as a chance for myself.

"I had a bit of a chance in the Crewe game and I thought I did well, although the night ended on a bit of a downer with the defeat on penalties.

"If I get the nod against Millwall then I've got to prove to the gaffer that I can handle things and do well."

McCarthy has been forced to chop and change his defence at regular intervals this season, with assorted ailments preventing him sticking with a settled backline.

Wright has only missed two league games though and, while Lynch has been forced to kick his heels, he admits the former Liverpool defender's form has made him difficult to dislodge.

"There's competition for places in the defence but, at right-back, there's only really myself and Stephen Wright competing for one spot," said the 23-year-old.

"It's up to me and Stephen to fight for that place now, and I'm sure that's how things will be.

"The gaffer's got a lot of options in the other defensive positions but, at right-back, it's a bit of a head to head and it's just a case of who he picks.

"He's been picking Stephen recently and I don't really think you can argue with that because of the way he's been playing."

Lynch was one of five youngsters to arrive on Wearside prior to the start of the season but, despite his Old Trafford upbringing, he has found it more difficult to become established than his fellow arrivals.

Steve Caldwell, Dean Whitehead and Stephen Elliott have all become fixtures in the first team, while Liam Lawrence has enjoyed two more Championship starts than Lynch.

That has inevitably made settling in more difficult but, after finally moving into his new house in the North-East, the Mancunian is beginning to feel at home.

"I'm used to life at Sunderland now," he said.

"It was strange at first because this has been the first move of my career and it inevitably takes time.

"If I had come along and gone straight into the first team, I'm sure it would have been a little bit easier.

"Stephen Elliott's found that. He's done superbly since he moved here and, if you're playing in the first team, everything else tends to take care of itself.

"Dean Whitehead has done the same - he's bedded into the first team and I'm sure he felt part of things more quickly.''

* Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez will monitor Jeff Whitley's fitness ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on Saturday.

The influential Sunderland midfielder is suffering with a tight hamstring after arriving in Baku.

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