SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid has admitted that the pressure is on his side to produce a home victory against Fulham today and repay a debt to Wearside's army of fans.

The Black Cats have won only two of their 12 League and Cup games at the Stadium of Light in the calendar year and have failed to record a victory in the last four on home soil.

Tuesday's 3-0 derby defeat at Middlesbrough deflated followers who had been buoyed by a 1-0 win at Leeds and 1-1 home draw with Manchester United, as well as the £10m double swoop for strikers Tore Andre Flo and Marcus Stewart.

Sunderland are now third bottom in the Premiership, one place above rivals Newcastle United who have a game in hand.

And Reid, who faced angry protests from fans during the pre-season tour of Belgium, is determined to quickly rekindle the mood of optimism with a pride-restoring three-point haul.

Attack-minded Fulham, however, could test Sunderland's resolve. Jean Tigana's side, who began the season with a 4-1 home win over Bolton, fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to beat second-placed Tottenham 3-2 at Loftus Road on Wednesday and jump into eighth spot.

Sunderland were unlucky to lose their opening home game against Everton and then came from behind courtesy of a Flo debut goal to draw with Man. United.

Reid said: "It's a pressure game against Fulham. We haven't won at home yet and when you look at the League table, even though it's early days, I think people tend to panic about it.

"So I'd rather have three points to get up the table.

"Our performance against Everton was half-decent and we got a draw with Man. United, so we'd like to do it in front of our own fans.

"I feel, and I think the players do as well, as though we owe them a performance and a good result.

"I think some of the football we're playing is good. It was just disappointing defensively against Boro the other night.''

But without striker Kevin Phillips, who has undergone a hernia operation and faces up to six weeks out, Sunderland lacked a genuine cutting edge.

Flo and Stewart linked up for the first time but looked as though they might take a while to develop an understanding.

Reid insisted: "I think it's a partnership that will get us goals. Sometimes it takes time for a partnership to hit it off.

"I thought Marcus had a decent debut, but Tore was not at his best against Boro. There's much more to come from him.''

Perhaps significantly, Reid welcomed the likely availability of veteran frontman Niall Quinn.

The player-coach, plagued by back trouble, was missing from the squad at the Riverside and Reid explained: "He just didn't feel right.

"But he looked great in training the other day, so I'm not writing him off for the Fulham game. He looks back to his old self.''

Reid, however, defended the decision to send Phillips for surgery. "The lad had gone through that much pain, he had to get the operation done,'' said Reid.

"I think we've got strength in depth now and that's one of the reasons why we sent Kevin for the operation.''

Winger Matt Piper is fit to play despite a slight stomach strain, while midfielder Gavin McCann has recovered from a three-week ankle injury and will take the place of Jason McAteer if the Republic of Ireland international fails to shrug off a hamstring niggle.

"Gavin has trained and was smashing,'' said Reid. "He's in the squad.''

Defender Jody Craddock hopes to return to training next week.

Craddock has been unavailable on compassionate grounds since the tragic death of four-month-old son Jake.

Reid said: "The lad has been brilliant after what he has been through.

"He's had a slight hamstring injury, but hopefully he'll get into full training next week.''

Fellow centre-back Emerson Thome should be fit in around eight weeks after Reid allayed fears that his career could be threatened by a third knee operation.

The Brazilian visited the Colorado clinic of leading specialist Richard Steadman, who has also operated on Newcastle strike duo Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy.

Reid said: "We went to Steadman who has had great results with a couple of the lads at Newcastle. We're very hopeful that the problem with Emerson will be sorted out.

"He should step up his training next week.''

* Sunderland are expected to confirm that defender Mark Maley has been forced to retire from the game after being hit in an eye with an air-gun pellet fired by teammate John Oster