SUNDERLAND goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has warned supporters that the team's football might not be pretty over the next few matches as the Wearsiders battle for their Premiership safety.

The Danish international believes that nine points from the remaining nine games, following the crucial 1-0 home win over Bolton last week, will guarantee safety. But two victories might be enough to keep the club in the top flight.

He said: "We have to admit that at this stage of the season it is all about results.

"We are in a difficult position in the League and we know we will have to scrap to get ourselves out of it.

"It means that the football we play over the next few weeks will often not be pretty, but I'm sure supporters will be happy to accept that provided we keep on picking up points."

Sorensen stressed: "We need points and we need them as quickly as possible to remove any threat of relegation.

"It could be that 40 points - just another couple of wins - will be enough to keep us up. But we don't want to be hanging around to find out.

"I think nine points will definitely guarantee us staying up."

Sorensen has played a major part in preventing Sunderland plunging headlong into a relegation battle this term, and his performances have been noted by some top Premiership clubs.

Championship-chasing Arsenal are reported to be casting envious eyes on the brilliant 25-year-old, who has been valued at £10m.

Each of Sunderland's nine Premiership victories this season have been achieved on the back of clean sheets from the Danish giant, who has proved one of Peter Reid's best investments since his £500,000 transfer from OB Odense in the summer of 1998.

Now Sorensen believes that another up-and-coming Danish goalkeeper, Stephan Anderson, could do a job for the Wearsiders.

The 20-year-old had an impressive trial for Sunderland in a 3-1 Premier Reserve League victory over Leeds last week before returning to his club, Hvidovre.

Sorensen said: "I trained with Stephan and he looks a capable keeper.

"I know he has broken into the Danish Under-21 team and he has a lot of potential."

* Gavin McCann took just two minutes to mark his return after two months in last night's runaway 7-0 FA Barclaycard Premiership Reserves League victory over Aston Villa at Durham City.

The England international has missed six matches with a knee injury, but last night he scored a cracking opening goal, was booked, and a typical non-stop performance puts him in contention for a return to Premiership action at Chelsea on Saturday.

Sunderland roared back to the top of the table after hitting Villa for six in a thrilling all out attacking first half performance.

Kevin Kyle added a fourth goal in the 54th minute to a first-half hat-trick and with Michael Reddy weighing in with a brace, Villa were left completely demoralised.

McCann blasted the ball home from 20 yards after a surging run by Thomas Butler, before Kyle hit the next two.

Reddy increased the lead in the 40th minute and a minute later the youngster added the fifth.

Kyle completed his hat-trick in the 44th minute when heading home a Butler corner and early in the second half blasted home his fourth from an acute angle to complete the rout.

Sunderland: Macho, Ramsden, James, Thirlwell, Byrne, Clark, Bellion (Medina 72), McCann, Kyle (Dickman 80), Reddy (Brown 72), Butler.

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