HOWARD Wilkinson last night began planning for life without Claudio Reyna by telling Paul Thirlwell to make the American's first-team place his own.

With Reyna due to undergo surgery on his damaged cruciate knee ligaments later this month before beginning a lengthy recover from the injury that is likely to preclude him from playing again this season, Thirlwell will start tomorrow's relegation battle at Charlton Athletic alongside Gavin McCann.

Thirlwell, 23, gave an assured display when he replaced the United States captain just before half-time in Monday's 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers.

That performance has filled the former England Under-21 international with confidence that he can fill the massive void left by Reyna's absence.

Wilkinson, too, reckons he has the players capable of covering for the 29-year-old playmaker who is expected to have his operation in Los Angeles in three weeks' time.

The Sunderland manager said: "I'm confident that between us we can deal with the problems we've got at the moment, including Claudio's injury.

"We'll only find out how serious his absence will be in the next three or four weeks, but his problem is someone else's opportunity.

"We have good players at the club and Claudio's absence will give someone else the chance to make their mark.

"It will be a bonus if Claudio's back before the end of the season. It's always a big blow to lose a key player, but we have to move on."

Thirlwell admitted last night that he contemplated following friends such as Chris Lumsdon out of Sunderland and into the Nationwide League in a search for first-team football, but he always remained convinced he was good enough to play regularly for the club he supported as a boy.

He said: "It crossed my mind to look elsewhere, but I never wanted to leave.

"Michael Bridges and Chris Lumsdon are two players who have left, and I've had a lot of good mates who have gone and are now playing lower down.

"But I see myself as good enough to play in this league and it's very difficult to get back into the Premiership once you drop out of it."

* Sunderland last night reminded fans that next Wednesday's Worthington Cup tie at Arsenal is an all-ticket game for away supporters.

Tickets, which must be bought by Tuesday at the latest, are priced at £18.50 for adults and £9.50 for juniors and OAPs.

Read more about Sunderland here.