SUNDERLAND'S supporters have warmed to the talents of unfashionable striker Kevin Kyle over the past 12 months.

But the jury is still out on Kyle north of the border and he hopes to take a further step towards winning his Scottish critics over on Wednesday night, writes PAUL FRASER.

Scotland face Slovenia at Hampden Park in a World Cup qualifier and the 23-year-old will play his part providing he can convince Berti Vogts' medical staff he is fully fit.

Kyle has been troubled with a hip injury this season and has often had to play through the pain barrier to try to strengthen Sunderland's Championship cause.

The Stranraer-born forward was rested on Friday night as Scotland played Spain in a friendly - a game that had to be abandoned due to floodlight failure and heavy rain nearly a hour in with the score at 1-1.

But Kyle has been told he will figure against Slovenia as Scotland aim to make the best possible start in front of their home fans as Vogts looks to guide his side to Germany 2006.

And the Black Cats front-man, who initially struggled to win over sections of the crowd at the Stadium of Light, hopes to prove in his homeland that he can become a success on the international stage.

"Wednesday is another game and I need as many matches as possible right now to get fully fit," said Kyle, hoping to earn his tenth cap for his country. "I did think I was capable of facing Spain on Friday - it wasn't going to be the easiest of games - but it would have been another chance to improve my fitness.

"Before Friday I had also missed the previous couple of games for Scotland and it's important for me that I'm involved again. Even though I'm not fully fit I wanted to go away and when I got the call I didn't hesitate.

"Whenever I've been with Scotland I've never really justified myself and I want to prove to the people north of the border that I'm worth my place in the squad. This next week might do me the world of good in terms of strengthening my reputation, another game would mean improved match fitness that can only help me at this stage."

Kyle, with one goal for Sunderland this season, last earned a cap when he played for Scotland against Denmark in April.

Meanwhile, defender Gary Breen insists the talking off the pitch must now be turned into performances on it after Sunderland's disappointing start to the campaign.

Mick McCarthy's men have just five points to show from their opening six Championship matches and sit nine points adrift of early leaders Wigan.

But Breen claims that Sunderland, who travel to Gillingham on Saturday, need to forget about their failings so far and close the gap on the promotion-chasing pack.

"We've only won once in the league. If we don't get our act together and quickly, we'll be too far behind to have a crack at the Premiership," said Breen, who was part of the side that lost at Reading last week.

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