NEW Sunderland striker Marcus Stewart has been receiving a bout of North-East derby advice from former Middlesbrough front-man Alun Armstrong.

Stewart, signed from Ipswich Town on the same day Tore Andre Flo completed his switch from Rangers, had to miss the clash with Manchester United ten days' ago following the birth of his son Finlay.

But now Stewart is hoping to finally make his debut in a Black Cats shirt when they make the short trip down the A19 to neighbours Boro this evening - and he knows exactly what to expect.

The 29-year-old has been talking to Armstrong, who scored once for Boro in a 3-1 win at the Riverside over Peter Reid's men in February 1998, and he believes he is well prepared for his big night.

"This will be my first North-East derby and I have been told about how big and passionate they are by Alun Armstrong," said Stewart, who scored on his debut for Ipswich against Barnsley.

"So hopefully my first taste of one will be of winning.

"It would be fantastic to make my debut in a derby, it would've been nice to play against Manchester United but personal things didn't see me do that.

"So hopefully I can make it in some way, shape or form on Tuesday - but the manager has not said that to me so we'll have to wait and see.

"A derby is always a nice game to play whether it's a debut or not - I have had a few derbies behind me.

"I've played in the Bristol derby, the East Anglian derby and a few Yorkshire derbies, so I know what they are all about."

Sunderland boss Reid has admitted that Stewart will play some part in proceedings this evening, but it is likely to be from the bench.

And when the former Bristol Rovers and Huddersfield man enters the fray he is likely to be lining up in a three-man attack - a formation that will be new to him.

But he is convinced he will be able to adapt to whatever tactic Reid opts to play.

"I don't think I have played it before, so it will be pretty new for me but I'm experienced enough to do a job," said Stewart, who scored 37 goals in just over two years at Portman Road.

"We've got two good strikers here in Kevin Phillips and Tore Andre so we will just have to wait and see what happens.

"The manager has a few options up there, with winger Matt Piper as well, and I will be just pushing hard for a place, hopefully I can quickly force my way into the team."

Stewart, born in Bristol, has been staying in a hotel since completing the switch from Ipswich.

And he admits that he has yet to fully settle in, although he is convinced that will come in time and he is adamant that he will soon gel with his new teammates.

"I'm getting there, it takes time but I'm sure that I will soon get to grips with the area and I'm sure I will soon be right at home," he said.

"The squad is full of internationals and I'm getting to know them as people and as players slowly.

"I've not played a game with them yet and I haven't really seen them play, so it's still early days but things look good.

"All I have seen so far is the TV highlights of them playing and that's not really enough to comment on a squad - but there are plenty of internationals and it's a big squad.

"I know enough of the players through their reputations to know they are good players, so my time should be good here."

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