EMBATTLED Peter Reid finds his managerial reputation - and the Premiership safety of Sunderland - on the line this afternoon as he faces one of the biggest tests in his seven-year career on Wearside against Southampton at the Stadium of Light.

Defeat, or even a draw, would plunge Sunderland alarmingly towards the drop zone, making this a game they must win to earn breathing space in a season which has turned desperately sour on a club boasting European ambitions.

And Reid, with virtually a full squad to choose from, knows he must make the right decisions if he is to change the club's fortunes and win over supporters who have been becoming more and more disillusioned with his management performance.

Rarely have Sunderland needed the full-throated backing of the fans, whose undying loyalty now faces its greatest examination since the triumphant return to the top flight three years ago.

Sunderland will have their ace-marksman Kevin Phillips, a huge miss in the 4-0 hammering at Chelsea last week, back in action looking for his first goal in five games, while Reid faces a selection poser fitting in midfielders Claudio Reyna and Jason McAteer, also missing at Stamford Bridge.

Reid also has Swedish international Joachim Bjorklund available, which could mean a change to the heart of defence.

Reid admitted: "I'm relieved that the injured lads are coming back - it's great as a manager when you have a full squad to choose from."

No-one has to tell the manager the importance of today's game against a Southampton side which, despite sitting mid-table with 36 points, could also be sucked into the relegation dogfight.

Reid said: "I'm very, very careful about saying that we should win games like this - I never say that.

"Gordon (Strachan) has done a great job down there and they are all hard games because Southampton are playing some good stuff.

"But having said that we expect to win our home games - that's an important factor in the Premiership. We've had a great record at home in the last couple of years but this year we've struggled."

Sunderland's reliance on Phillips has been spotlighted, and his nine goals have been insufficient to carry the team any higher up the table. Significantly, Sunderland's nine League wins this season have been achieved on the back of clean-sheets, which suggests that goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen's often inspirational form has been equally important to the Wearsiders this season.

Reid said: "On some occasions we've struggled to get goals, but if you look at some of the performances I don't think the players have got what they deserved.

"As we come into these last eight games it's all about winning them and getting results and that's what we will be looking to do."

He added: "It's been difficult scoring goals this season but we have players who have goals in them, it's just a matter of sticking them in the back of the net.

"It's a lot about confidence - I think everybody knows that if we can get an early goal that would help.

"We've had chances and not put them away and I hope they will come against Southampton."

Reid believes that players like McAteer, who hit the match-winner in the last home game against Bolton Wanderers, Reyna and Gavin McCann should be chipping in with goals from midfield. He said: "We've got to start doing it on the pitch because we've got the credentials on paper." Southampton travel to Sunderland looking for a double after winning 2-0 at the new St Mary's Stadium in December and Reid is aware of the dangermen they have available like Kevin Davies, Brett Omerod, Marian Pahars and James Beattie. He said: "We were poor at St Mary's and I expect a better performance at the Stadium of Light." Sunderland are likely to restore the strike-partnership of Phillips and on-loan Patrick Mboma, who was required to operate as a lone raider at Stamford Bridge, without posing any great threat.

The bustling Cameroon international has been given a warm welcome by Sunderland fans and his move from Italian club Parma could become permanent.

Reid said: "We'll wait until the end of the season to see what happens with Patrick Mboma, or Paddy as wel now call him.

"I'm just happy to have him here - he's a breath of fresh air. He's a bubbly lad and a great asset both on an off the pitch.

"He's been brave for us because he's played through a back injury. He's done smashing for us and seems very comfortable around the place."

l Sunderland boss Reid has made a last-minute bid to snatch Luton prodigy Matthew Taylor from under Tottenham's nose, according to Hatters boss Joe Kinnear.

The 20-year-old left-back has scored 10 goals in Division Three this season and is being chased by a host of Premiership clubs, with Glenn Hoddle's Tottenham first in the queue.

But Sunderland are weighing up making a cash-plus-player bid before the transfer deadline next week, with striker Michael Proctor set to be offered in exchange.

Luton boss Joe Kinnear said: ''Peter Reid is very keen to take Taylor and it might just jolt Tottenham up a bit. They think they've already got him but they could be in for a shock."

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