PETER Reid admitted last night that his frustrating Search for a Striker has sent him "bonkers".

The Sunderland manager let slip his exasperation over his inability to tempt a forward to the Stadium of Light with the transfer deadline just a week away.

Kevin Kyle, who made his full Scotland debut on Wednesday, will get the chance to convince Reid he should be Kevin Phillips' first-choice partner when he is given his first Sunderland start against Everton today.

But however Kyle plays this afternoon, Reid knows he must bring in at least one frontline striker ahead of next Saturday, when the transfer window closes until January.

His persistence is yet to pay off, with Ajax's Zlatan Ibrahimovic this week becoming the latest player to decide against a move to Sunderland. Reid will not give up, though, despite the succession of knock-backs that have left him questioning his sanity.

He said: "Trying to sign a striker is driving me bonkers. I'm like a dog with a bone and I'll get there in the end.

"We've tried to bring in certain players and it hasn't come off. But I have signed five players - Thomas Myhre, Phil Babb, Sean Thornton, Stephen Wright and Matthew Piper.

"The majority of fans know what I'm trying to do, but if players don't come for whatever reason it's very difficult for the club.

"We've got an awful lot of good players between the ages of 19 and 22, and that bodes well for the future.

"The amount of young talent we've got is terrific but we need someone who can do it now."

Kyle, 21, is relishing the prospect of a big-name forward coming to Wearside - even though it will jeopardise his chances of a regular first-team place.

He said: "Like everyone else at the club, I'm looking forward to the arrival of another striker because it's something we need.

"I know the manager is after a striker and that we've been linked with a lot of people.

"But hopefully I can impress the manager before we sign someone and I can give him something to really think about."

Kyle's promotion to the starting line-up confirms Reid will send out a more attack-minded team today after Phillips ploughed a lone furrow up front last Saturday as Sunderland looked to contain Blackburn.

The former Irish Ferries baggage handler admits he will be tense this afternoon but is determined to cap a wonderful week by helping Sunderland make a winning start to their home Premiership campaign.

He said: "I'm excited but more than anything else I'm nervous. It really kicked in with Scotland when the national anthem started, and it will hit me when I walk down the tunnel.

"But to wear the No.9 shirt for Scotland was great and that's really boosted my confidence.

"The result wasn't great but I put myself about and won a few headers. Hopefully I can do the same against Everton and create a few chances for Kevin Phillips.

"I pick up things from Niall Quinn and he's giving me lots of advice every day.

"I know what it's like in the lower divisions; I know what it's like to have to take your kit home and wash it, which is what I did when I was on loan at Darlington.

"It makes you appreciate being at a big Premiership club even more and I want to impress the manager now I've got my chance."

Meanwhile, it emerged last night that Ibrahimovic rejected the chance to join Sunderland because he would prefer to move to Italy. Serie A champions Juventus, Inter, Roma and Lazio are all interested in the Sweden international.

Today's match is the Black Cats' first since the death of Jody Craddock's four-month-old son Jake this week.

A minute's silence, which will also be held in memory of murdered Soham schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, will precede the game.

Craddock's tragedy has deeply affected the popular defender's colleagues at Sunderland and it has provided a sombre backdrop to this afternoon's fixture.

Reid said: "We've all been devastated with the news of Jody's son; it's a terrible blow for him.

"Football comes second when something like this happens. It's going to be a poignant day considering what happened to the two kids in Cambridgeshire, too.

"But when the whistle blows you get on with your job. The lads have reacted tremendously well this week."

Piper, a £3.5m signing from Leicester City, will start the match on the bench. He is a little short of fitness after not training while his protracted move took place.

* Sunderland's new away kit will go on sale next Saturday, with an exclusive launch at the club's Stadium of Light store from 7am.

The Nike kit features a striking baltic blue shirt, with white trim. The shorts are white with a baltic blue trim, with baltic blue socks.

* Cash turnstiles will be open this afternoon - adult tickets only (£24), concessions are available from the ticket office.

* Sunderland striker Michael Proctor has moved to Bradford on loan for a month, with goalkeeper Michael Ingham joining Stockport for a similar period.