AFTER finding the net in the Premiership for the first time last weekend, Sunderland striker Stephen Elliott wants to achieve another goal on Sunday by overcoming Newcastle United.

Elliott was on the Manchester City bench in February last year when Manchester United progressed in the FA Cup at the expense of their big city rivals.

But this weekend the 21-year-old expects to go one better and start for Sunderland in their jostle for regional superiority against Newcastle.

The two derbies are renowned for the hatred amongst supporters but Elliott believes the Tyne-Wear date will be an even more special occasion to be involved in.

"It's a massive game for all the fans and the people around the area," said Elliott. "We are all looking forward to it. I was on the bench for a cup game at Old Trafford against United but I never actually got on the pitch.

"Hopefully, it'll be different on Sunday and I'll be playing. Old Trafford was a really good atmosphere but I think the atmosphere up here will be even better.

"People keep telling me it's a massive game and some people even say that it doesn't matter what else happens this season as long as we beat Newcastle. I don't know about that but I do know we have to win it for the fans."

Having suffered a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United last weekend, Sunderland's three match unbeaten league run has been broken.

However, the Black Cats remain buoyed after outplaying their more illustrious opponents for long periods and defeat was only forthcoming because of the ruthlessness of Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

On Sunday, Mick McCarthy's side will have to cope with another one of the Premiership's most feared strikeforces in Alan Shearer and Michael Owen, providing the latter shrugs off hamstring trouble.

But Elliott is relishing the prospect. "Shearer and Owen are brilliant strikers and they have done it over the years. It will be great to be on the same pitch," he said.

"But we have been playing well this season even though we have not been getting the results we deserve.

"We are confident that if we keep playing like we have been and we did on Saturday then we will do OK.

"When you look at last week's result it was disappointing but it was good for me to get my first Premiership goal. I was playing with a lot of heart but it was frustrating that I was not getting the goals. Hopefully, now they will start to come on a more regular basis."

If Sunderland are going to escape from Tyneside with the points they are going to have to find a way of scoring past Elliott's Republic of Ireland team-mate Shay Given.

The Newcastle goalkeeper was handed his international debut during McCarthy's time in charge of the Irish and the Sunderland boss does not think there is a better keeper around.

"I gave him his first cap against Russia," said McCarthy, whose own keeper Kelvin Davis has been criticised after a chequered start to life on Wearside.

"Shay has been instrumental. People might put forward Petr Cech or Edwin van der Sar as the best but Shay has been the most consistent for a long time. I can't see many better.

"You just have to watch Shay in training, his agility is outstanding and he is a top class keeper and a top class bloke. I hope he has a mare on Sunday. Actually, no I don't. I hope he has a fantastic game and let's an unstoppable one slip through his fingers because I like him, he's a great guy and I would hate to see him get the blame."

Julio Arca claims to have a 50-50 chance of making Sunday's game, although McCarthy insists an appearance remains very unlikely.

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