HOWARD Wilkinson warned last night that he will have no qualms about ordering his side to replicate Anfield's heroic defensive effort as Sunderland strive to save their Premiership skin.

Wilkinson remains defiant following the greatest rearguard action since Rorke's Drift, even though Sunderland did not have a single shot all game.

Last Sunday's goalless draw merely gave further ammunition to the critics who have mocked Wilkinson for being a dour Yorkshireman whose teams play dour football.

But as the Sunderland manager prepared for today's visit of Birmingham City aiming to see his side extend their five-match unbeaten run, he shrugged off the jibes about their last performance.

He said: "Would I do that again if I went back there? I wouldn't like to, but I would if I had to.

"If somebody were to come to the Stadium of Light and we couldn't get the ball off them because they were so good on the day, what else could we do?

"From the first whistle to the last, it wasn't physically possible for us to have a go at Liverpool.

"You can only respond to what happens in the game, and that's what we did in that game.

"People criticise us but it wasn't fair: they wouldn't give us the ball!

"People have to write something about a game, and I would have written about Liverpool's tremendous attacking display.

"About 97 per cent of the crowd were delighted with what Liverpool did on the day, short of getting a goal. What we did was what we had to do: we had to defend well and with courage.

"It was the first time an English team had kept a clean sheet at Anfield this season.

"They had 20 shots but none went in, and only two strikes came as a result of them getting behind us.

"All of the others came from set-pieces or shots from the other side of our defence.

"As a coach, that was one of the things to take away from the game.

"We played against a very good team and we restricted them to playing in front of us."

Wilkinson reckons the "lingering feud" between Kevin Kilbane and a significant number of Sunderland fans is almost over after the Republic of Ireland international's strong displays in the centre of midfield.

Kilbane admitted in August that he was on the verge of leaving Sunderland after giving a V-sign to supporters during the ill-fated pre-season tour.

But he has enjoyed a renaissance under Wilkinson and has won over supporters who villified him just a few weeks ago. Wilkinson said: "One of the benefits from the Liverpool game was evidence that the fans' lingering feud with Kilbane is nearing an end.

"Hearing supporters sing his name was great, for players and staff alike.

"We are delighted for him. The lad has been great since I came here and he's benefited from the fact that everyone had a clean slate when I arrived at the club."

Michael Proctor is expected to line up on the right side of midfield today after encouraging displays against Tottenham and Liverpool.

After waiting for so long for his Premiership chance, and having loan spells with three clubs, the 22-year-old striker is determined to make the most of his opportunity in an unfamiliar position.

He said: "I always thought I had a future at Sunderland and hopefully I will now get a bit of a run in the side.

"I've been with the club since I was 11 and it's great to be involved with world-class players.

"I didn't expect to get into the team straight away as there is a strong squad here, but instead I've been involved a lot more than I have ever been.

"I've played all my football up front and would say that is my strongest position. But the manager has asked me to do a job on the wing and I am delighted to play there."

l Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealed his dilemma whether to rest Thierry Henry at Southampton today as he intimated his annoyance with French coach Jacques Santini.

Wenger was frustrated to see Henry play for more than three quarters of France's midweek friendly against Yugoslavia despite an apparent understanding to take him off at half-time.

''I thought what was planned is that he would only stay on the pitch for one half but he played more. I don't know why, I haven't spoken to the national coach since,'' he revealed.

Given that the striker went into the game with a hamstring niggle, Wenger is now wondering whether he ought to rest him at St Mary's - or risk turning the problem into a more serious injury.

''We have a small doubt about Thierry. His hamstring injury that he had last week is still bothering him. I will have a chat with him and think about whether to rest him,'' he added.

''It is very important to go to the fringe of how far a player can go but not to make one step too many as then you can get an injury of three or four weeks, which could damage your chances.

''I will have a chat with the medical staff and if I feel that there's a risk, I will not start him. It is a gamble as it is a big game for us.

''It has rained a lot, the pitch could be heavy, he has been travelling and he's played many games. But I will see in the morning.''

If Henry does play, it would be his 25th game of the season for club and country but, with Kanu already missing, Wenger will find it hard to leave him out.

''Thierry is not only a special player but he has a special health and a special strength.

"He recovers so much and is so physically strong - and also young,'' he said.

At least Dennis Bergkamp, Fredrik Ljungberg and David Seaman have been cleared to play, although Gilberto may be rested after playing for Brazil in South Korea in midweek. Otherwise, Wenger was grateful to see Patrick Vieira and Sylvain Wiltord return after minimal involvement for France, while Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell only had a training session with England