SUNDERLAND'S Niall Quinn has been told to shelve plans to hang up his boots by Peter Reid.

The Republic of Ireland striker is to retire from international football after the World Cup to help ease the pressure on a long term back injury.

It has sparked fears the Black Cats targetman is about to bring the curtain down on his distinguished Premiership career.

But with Cameroon loan signing Patrick Mboma eager to win a permanent move to Wearside, Reid can now use Quinn in short bursts in a bid to get the best out of the influential 35-year-old.

Reid said: "In terms of being on the pitch next season, there won't be as much for Niall to do.

"When a player gets to 35 or 36 you've got to use him in bursts but he'll definitely be with us next year, he's still a big part of my plans.

"And when he comes on you can see by their reaction that he causes opponents problems, and they don't like having to deal with him."

Reid admits he has been forced to play Quinn more than he wanted this season due to French flop Lilian Laslandes' inability to settle in the Premiership.

And the Black Cats boss will hand Mboma - on loan from Parma - his first Premiership start at Tottenham on Saturday to give Quinn a breather to help the former Arsenal striker hit the ground running next season.

Reid added: "If we treat him right he can still have a big impact on games and he remains a massive influence at this club.

"I only expected to use the big fella sparingly this season but he's done a terrific job for us. No-one is irreplaceable but it will be difficult to get another player in like him."

Reid last night moved quickly to dispel fears that Gavin McCann has suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury.

The England midfielder hasn't figured since Fulham's visit more than a month ago, after suffering a ligament strain in training.

But despite the 24-year-old taking longer than expected to return, Reid expects the former Everton man to be back later this month.

"When you have had trouble with your medial ligaments you think you are okay when you are running, but it's a different story when it comes to twisting and turning.

"There's nothing sinister in it, there has been no setback, it's just taking longer than expected.

"With Gavin and Julio Arca's groin injury both lads are making progress but they are struggling to make it for Tottenham.

"We're not going to rush them back otherwise you risk them breaking down."

l West Ham manager Glenn Roeder is not yet prepared to sit down and discuss a new contract with Italian striker Paolo di Canio, who yesterday threatened to join a new English club when his current deal expires next summer.

''It isn't up for discussion at the moment,'' Roeder insisted yesterday.

In recent weeks fans' favourite di Canio's proposed move to Manchester United fell through and he then stated his intention of moving back to Italy at the end of next season.

But he performed another about-turn and claimed he would like to finish his career with the Hammers. However, his position appears to have changed yet again and he is now keen to join another Premiership club.

''It's such a long time away, 18 months is a long time in football,'' added Roeder.

''We don't feel it's time to be talking anything but football and what happens on the pitch.

''When you are talking contracts and all the things involved with them you can start taking your eye off the ball.''

Not that Roeder has any complaints about the on-field commitment of di Canio, who is set to return from his three-match suspension for tomorrow's visit to Aston Villa.

''The last game before the suspension, against Blackburn, he had an excellent all-round match and was instrumental in both the goals we scored,'' said Roeder.

But he added: ''We are not talking about contracts with anyone.

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