HOWARD Wilkinson last night put his defence on red alert as they prepared to face the challenge of combating Manchester City dangerman Nicolas Anelka - the man who destroyed his hopes of becoming England coach in 1999.

Wilkinson, then the Football Association's technical director, was in temporary charge of England following Glenn Hoddle's sacking when Anelka's two goals helped France win 2-0 at Wembley nearly four years ago.

Ironically, Wilkinson stepped aside a month later to allow Kevin Keegan - now Anelka's club manager - to begin his ill-fated spell in control of the national team. His only previous encounter with Anelka has left the Sunderland boss, whose side are just one point and one place off the foot of the Premiership, anxious about tonight's meeting.

The striker dubbed the Incredible Sulk during his turbulent time at Arsenal has scored eight league goals this season - the same number that Sunderland's entire team have managed.

And Wilkinson said: "Nicolas Anelka has been consistently good since he joined Arsenal from Paris St Germain as a youngster, and he's a big threat to us.

"He can get in behind defences or get anything loose around the box. He has great pace and you'd be pleased to have him on your staff.

"I hope he doesn't show against us why Kevin Keegan was so keen to sign him."

Phil Babb identified Anelka as the biggest obstacle standing between Sunderland and a victory that would lift the gloom that has enveloped the Stadium of Light over the past fortnight.

He said: "Nicolas Anelka is a good player. You should put aside everything that's happened in the past, and you can see he has fire in his belly and he wants to score goals.

"He does everything you want from a centre-forward, and at the moment he's full of confidence.

"As a defender, you worry about a striker who's on fire and scoring goals, and that's what Anelka has going for him at the moment.

"Pace is one part of his game, but it's not the whole picture. He'll try tricks and shoot from anywhere."

Kevin Phillips and Tore Andre Flo will again be charged with the responsibility of improving on Sunderland's woeful goalscoring record at the Stadium of Light tonight.

Phillips' only goal since the final day of last season was against Tottenham Hotspur four weeks ago, but Wilkinson is standing by the Black Cats talisman.

He said: "Scoring more goals is the next step as far as we're concerned.

"At times at Chelsea, we looked like we could pose good teams problems going forward.

"I would have thought confidence has been higher in terms of scoring goals, but that's always the way with strikers. They're only really happy when they're scoring."

With Wilkinson deprived of a welter of midfielders, he will recall Kevin Kilbane and Paul Thirlwell after they were rested for the Worthington Cup defeat at Sheffield United.

Stefan Schwarz could also figure, while Kevin Kyle might be among the substitutes after the knee problem he sustained at Bramall Lane was diagnosed as no more than bruising.

Wilkinson added: "Kevin looks as though he's avoided what could have been a very nasty injury.

"The bruising is still very bad but fortunately the lacerations are superficial, so they didn't require stitches.

"If that had been the case, he would have been out for up to five weeks, but we've just got the bruising to worry about. He's a possibility for Monday."

* The Sunderland AFC Disabled and Escorts Branch are holding their Christmas Social Evening tomorrow. Taking place at Belmont Social Club, Durham (7pm), tickets are still available - ring secretary Freda Murray for details on (0191) 3847835. Seats are available on the coach to West Brom on December 21 - details are available from the secretary.