Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has agreed to play for Denmark against Israel next week despite the threat of terrorist violence.

Sorensen revealed that all the Danish players had been offered the chance to pull out of the friendly in Copenhagen on Wednesday.

He revealed: "We have been told by the Danish FA that we don't have to play because of what is happening in the Middle East. But I expect everybody to be there.

"We can't let this beat us and it's important that the game goes ahead. Sport and politics should not be mixed."

Sorensen hopes to travel to Denmark with Sunderland's safety assured following Saturday's crucial home match against Liverpool.

The Wearsiders need one more win to be safe and Sorensen said: "We've matched Leeds, Arsenal and Chelsea at the Stadium of Light and now we have to do it against Liverpool on Saturday. They will come here with all guns blazing.

"We don't want to leave it until the last game of the season against Derby because the pressure would make it tough."

He added: "The players going away on World cup duty in the summer want to set off on a high and we want to make sure of safety as quickly as possible.

"I think we still need another three points and it would be nice to get them against Liverpool."

Emerson Thome meanwhile is still on the comeback trail following injury that has restricted him to only 12 appearances this season.

The former Chelsea defender has been a big miss and his absence has contributed to Sunderland's struggles.

The Wearsiders have conceded less than a goal a game with the Brazilian in the team and Thome admits it has been "very hard" watching from the sidelines.

He said: "It's a shame because it's getting near to the end of the season just as I'm nearing fitness. But hopefully I can finish the season by being fit again so that I can look forward to next season."

Niall Quinn could start against Gerard Houllier's men and aims to cement Sunderland's place in the Premiership before sorting out his future at the club.

The 35-year-old striker, who retires from international football after this summer's World Cup, still has a year on his contract and he hopes to continue playing at the top level.

Sunderland will establish a 48,355 crowd record against Liverpool tomorrow. The previous record for the Stadium of Light was 48,305 for the game with Manchester United in October 2001.

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