SUNDERLAND midfielder Claudio Reyna has identified Newcastle's Kieron Dyer as the dangerman who could hold the key to today's derby showdown at St. James' Park.

USA schemer Reyna will be in direct opposition to England international Dyer for the first time.

And he is in no doubt about Dyer's ability to influence the outcome of the latest chapter in Tyne-Wear footballing rivalry.

Reyna said: "Dyer is a really good player and one we have to keep an eye on.

"He makes great runs out of midfield. They have a lot of important players but he's the one guy who keeps them going.

"He can make something out of nothing and one player and one moment can change the game in a derby.''

Third-bottom Sunderland are a point and a place above their bitter adversaries, who have played a game fewer in this season's Premiership, and Reyna admits he is surprised to see the Magpies at the wrong end of the table.

"I think everyone expected them to be fighting at the top of the table and going for the title after last season's fourth-place finish,'' said Reyna.

"But, in this league, you can easily lose two games in a row - even Manchester United, who have dominated for ten years, are struggling at the moment.

"However, with the squad Newcastle have, I think they can handle the Premiership and being in the Champions' League.''

With pressure growing on Sunderland manager Peter Reid after two shattering 3-0 defeats by Middlesbrough and Fulham, Reyna concedes the players owe their boss a vastly-improved performance.

"It's a big game, there's always pressure and more so this time because we're both near the bottom,'' said Reyna.

"If you look at the squad we have, you feel that with a string of good results, there's no reason why we can't move up the table.

"I think we owe the manager a performance and we also owe it to ourselves because the last two games have been disappointing.

"In a week everything has been turned around for us. Everything was looking up but now it's all looking down. We need a good result and a good performance to get things on the upswing again.''

Reyna, like teammate Joachim Bjorklund, has played for Rangers in Old Firm derbies.

"Rangers-Celtic games are special,'' said Reyna. "You get an incredible atmosphere. This is a different derby, but there'll be a great atmosphere.

"If we get a good, solid start in the first 15 minutes or so, we can keep the home crowd quiet.''

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