UNDER-FIRE Sunderland manager Peter Reid believes that "fantastic" Wearside fans will hold the key to Premiership safety in this afternoon's crucial home game against Derby County.

Sunderland need just a point to stay above third-bottom Ipwich Town, whose only hope of salvation is a victory over Liverpool at Anfield, coupled with a win for the already relegated Rams.

Reid is confident that his side can take care of their own future by sending Derby away empty handed, but he appreciates the part which the home fans can play in what could well be a nervy end-of-season encounter.

He said: "The fans here have been fantastic.

"Some of the stuff they have had to watch has not been pretty, but they have been brilliant.

"I know they will be behind us and we have just got to respond to it. But we are good enough to win the game and after being around the players this week they are up for it."

"This is a massive game for us but our future is in our own hands and we know what we have to do.

"We know it is going to be difficult but we go into the game in a positive frame of mind.

"We have got ourselves into this situation and we have to get ourselves out of it.

"It is not a situation I have enjoyed this season but we have a chance of going out with a bang and that's what we will be trying to do."

Reid certainly doesn't expect any favours from Derby County or their manager, John Gregory.

He said: "We have got to know each other through kicking each other a few times as players and he is a lad I have got on well with over the last couple of years when we have met as managers.

"Knowing John and the professional that he is his team will be ready for the game.

"Funnily enough, even though they know they are to be relegated I think they will be relaxed and that sometimes makes it harder. But I know it is going to be a hard game."

Reid admits that he will be wondering about the score at Anfield.

He said: "In these situations you always wonder what's happening elsewhere but you/we must concentrate on our own game and if we win it doesn't matter what happens at Liverpool."

Reid has ruled out returns for £4.5m Brazilian central defender Emerson Thome and Argentinian winger Julio Arca, who are not yet match fit after recovering from serious knee and groin injuries.

But he will be able to call on the services of former England striker Kevin Phillips, who has been playing recently under the handicap of stomach, back and ankle injuries.

He said: "Kevin had done really well for us, even though he has not been 100 per cent fit.

"If we'd had a stronger squad to choose from I would have rested him more, but he has played for us and has shown great character."

Phillips, leading scorer with 12 goals, said: "This is a huge game but our fate remains in our own hands.

"It is up to us to rise to the occasion and I'm expecting both the players and the supporters to do exactly that.

"When our crowd whips up the sort of atmosphere it's capable of there are few more intimidating places than the Stadium of Light.

"Sunderland's Premiership future hangs on the result of this game and I think everyone has to pull together to make sure that our fans go into the close season knowing that we are still in the top flight.

"I'm confident we will get the support we need from the fans and I'm equally confident that with them behind us we will get the right result."

* Derby manager John Gregory has revealed ahead of this afternoon's game that he expects some of his top players to pack their bags this summer, writes MARK STANIFORTH. Gregory wants to clear the decks before the start of next season to cut the wage bill following the club's relegation.

Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli and Georgian midfielder Giorgi Kinkladze are two of the big earners Gregory is keen to move on.

He is looking to the football agents to help make the end-of-season sale at Pride Park a success.

''I would suggest they do some work this summer and try to get their client a club,'' he said.

''That's what they are supposed to do. They get an extortionate amount of money for making a few phone calls, so I suggest they make calls to move these players on.

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