DAVID Bellion vowed last night to fire Sunderland to safety after the Frenchman was told by Howard Wilkinson that he will be deployed as a frontline striker.

After being shunted on to the wing by Peter Reid for most of his time at Sunderland, Bellion is relishing the chance to play as an outright forward as he tries to revive his ailing club's fortunes.

The 19-year-old lined up alongside Kevin Phillips in a practice game at Sunderland's training ground yesterday, suggesting he could join the England international in the starting line-up for Monday's crucial game at fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers.

Wilkinson has been impressed with what he has seen of Bellion, who scored one of Sunderland's meagre total of four goals in ten Premiership games this season.

Bellion said: "I came here as a striker - I was always a striker in France - and now I'm going to rediscover the game I used to have.

"I think I can do it and I'm practising my finishing. I scored on my debut against Aston Villa, so I'm confident I can do well as a striker.

"It's good to be versatile because the manager might need you to play in another position.

"But the new manager knows I'm a striker and he's told me that's where he sees me playing, not on the wing."

Wilkinson, who must try to coax his plethora of forwards back into goalscoring form, will have Michael Proctor at his disposal after the 22-year-old returns from his loan spell with Bradford City following their game with Norwich City today.

Wilkinson looks likely to persevere with Bellion for the time being, though, and he believes the teenager can blossom into an outstanding player.

He said: "David is a raw, young talent with electric pace. We can't leave him like a flower growing wild in the garden and hope it comes out lovely.

"We have to work with him because his pace is frightening."

Proctor has scored four goals in ten games for Bradford since joining the Valley Parade club on loan in August.

He has never made a Premiership appearance in his time at Sunderland, for whom he has played since he was a trainee, and has previously made temporary moves to Halifax Town and York City.

He said: "It's a double-edged sword. I've always maintained that I'd love to go back to Sunderland and have a future there.

"But at the same time I'm enjoying myself at Bradford and am playing First Division football."

Wilkinson said: "I've said before that everyone has a clean slate and will get a chance. As far as I'm concerned, the more competition the better."

Goalkeeper Thomas Myhre is expected to be fit for the trip to Bolton, despite suffering a chest infection this week. He came through yesterday's training session unscathed.

* Former Japan coach Philippe Troussier last night claimed he spoke to Sunderland before they appointed Wilkinson as their new manager.

The Frenchman, who led Japan to the second round of last summer's World Cup, said: "I've had a lot of contact with both clubs and national teams.

"There was Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, China, Croatia, Sunderland, Ipswich and Standard Liege.

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