FORMER African Player of the Year Patrick Mboma will make his full Premiership debut at White Hart Lane today, looking to forge a partnership with England striker Kevin Phillips which could secure him a long-term contract at Sunderland.

The 31-year-old Cameroon international is on loan from Italian Serie A club Parma until the end of the season.

He knows he has just 11 games to impress manager Peter Reid.

Mboma received a warm reception when he came on as a second half substitute in Sunday's 1-0 home defeat by Newcastle United and he is relishing the prospect of playing alongside Phillips.

He said: "It's always easy to play with a player of his talents. He was unlucky not to score against Newcastle, but he came up against a top goalkeeper, and I think he will bring out the best in me.

"In footballing terms he's a clever player who will score many goals. He's one of the best around and I hope my arrival will help him score even more and vice-versa."

Mboma, who has also played in France and Japan, was the tournament's leading scorer with three goals for Cameroon as they won the African Nations Cup, although he missed the final through injury. Now he is looking to build himself a new career in the Premiership.

He said: "My debut was exciting, especially the reception I received from the crowd, which was wonderful, and the atmosphere in the stadium was really special.

"The rest of the squad have made me feel very welcome since I arrived and it has been good for my confidence that I've felt they've all been right behind me from the start.

"I felt I did OK against Newcastle, but I made a mistake for their goal because I was supposed to be marking Nikos Dabizas and I didn't."

Mboma, however, is looking forward to another big test at the top level against Spurs.

He said: "The pace of the Premiership is so much faster than anywhere else and it takes a little time to adjust to it, but that's what I must do.

"I'm looking forward to starting against Tottenham. They're a good team and I know there is expectation on me and hopefully I can do well in another good atmosphere."

He added: "It's not up to the team to change for me - it's me who has to change to fit into the team and I'm ready for that.

"I think the Cameroon coach will come and see me soon and hopefully he will be happy with the way I play."

Reid has been delighted with Mboma's sense of humour since he arrived on Wearside and the big striker said: "I've been trying to get to understand the English sense of humour here. It's important for me and after that maybe I can tell a few jokes.

"I like the sense of humour here and I think it's good to have a few jokes from time to time. It helps the atmosphere among the players. I don't know who laughs the most at my jokes, though!"