MIDDLESBROUGH centre-forward Malcolm Christie hopes to come face-to-face with one of his heroes at the Stadium of Light today.

The £3m capture from Derby County in January has recovered from a dead leg, sustained in the draw at Liverpool two weeks ago, and now he wants to make his first start against Sunderland.

If Christie does get his wish then he is likely to be at opposite ends of the pitch to the Black Cats' star striker Kevin Phillips.

And the 23-year-old insists Phillips, Sunderland's post-war record goalscorer, remains one of the best forwards in the business - despite finding the net only four times in the Premiership this season.

After rejections, Phillips and Christie both came through the non-league ranks. Phillips started his career at Baldock Town and Christie was a shelf-stacker while at Nuneaton.

Christie said: "He was one of my inspirations, having been released as youngsters and then coming through from non-league. He had to battle his way through the game.

"I remember when I first got on to the pitch at Sunderland last season, it was marvellous to be on the same pitch as him, really.

"It's not really happened for him on the international stage but he is a very good striker and a quality finisher. He's just found it hard this season as a lot of the strikers in the Premiership have."

Christie, who came on as a substitute at Anfield, also has a lot of respect for relegation-threatened Sunderland boss Howard Wilkinson.

The ex-Rams front-man was given his international break by Wilkinson, and Christie believes the Black Cats chief has found it hard to work with the same crop of players who got Peter Reid the sack five months ago.

"Mr Wilkinson was the first coach to pick me for England Under-21s so I hold him in high regard as a manager, but it just isn't happening for him at Sunderland," he said.

"He would like to have gone in there and bought some new players but I think the budget had already gone. He has to work with the players he has got and do the best he can, but it is difficult.

"Sunderland will be looking to use this game as their turning point for the season and we will have to be careful about that."

Boro have not won on their travels in the League since September 28. In fact, Geremi's goal at Liverpool was their first away from home in the Premiership since that date.

But Christie could be the man to end that winless run and he has already found the net on Wearside before - his third career goal came at the Stadium of Light.

After suffering relegation with Derby last season, Christie knows more than most on the pitch this afternoon what Sunderland are threatened with. And he said: "Wilkinson's men will be afraid to play in front of their own supporters - regardless of the opposition.

"It's all about confidence when you are down near the bottom of the league. The fans get on your back especially at home, and when things don't go too well for you there is that fear, not taking responsibility with the ball and not wanting the ball."

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