RESERVES: Sunderland defender Emerson Thome eased his way back from a long-term injury with a 55 minute workout in last night's FA Barclaycard Premiership Reserve League 2-1 win over Liverpool at Ferens Park, Durham.

The Brazilian, out for more than three months with a knee problem, took just four minutes to announce his return with a crunching tackle on Neil Mellor but otherwise looked in need of match practice.

Sunderland romped into a two goal lead through Chris Brown and Kevin Kyle but Liverpool hit back just before half time to set up a second half that saw play switch from end to end.

Sunderland: Ingham, Ramsden, James, Thome, (Rossiter 55m), Byrne, Medina, Bellion, (Capper 70m), Black, Kyle, Brown, (Teggart 86m), Ryan. Attendance 1,187.

* Middlesbrough Reserves were held to a goalless draw by Leeds Reserves last night in a game played at York's Bootham Crescent.

HUGHES: Newcastle United defender Aaron Hughes was determined to keep his jersey from his first match as Northern Ireland captain - despite the line-up of Spanish stars waiting to swap with him.

''This is my first shirt as Northern Ireland captain and I wouldn't swap it for anything,'' he said.

''We play them twice in the European Championships so maybe I will get one then.

''But I wasn't going to give my captain's shirt away this time.''

Sammy McIlroy had handed Hughes the captain's armband when Jim Magilton pulled out and the 22-year-old was the most surprised and proudest man inside Windsor Park.

Not even the 5-0 scoreline could wreck what was a memorable night for him.

''It's a great honour to play for your country so to captain."

RIISE: John Arne Riise's agent will contact Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier to assure him the defender is committed to the Anfield club. Einar Baardsen is keen to clear the air after reports linking Riise to Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. ''There was a report in the Spanish press that Real Madrid are interested in John Arne,'' Baardsen told Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet.

''The story was picked up by the English press, and then a representative from Barcelona called me up.

''I told Barcelona that John Arne loved Liverpool and that he had been having the time of his life at the club. He wants to stay there, and Liverpool know that.