SUNDERLAND may be competing in Europe next season through a competition they have previously shunned - the Intertoto Cup.

The Wearsiders could have twice claimed a place in the contest after finishing seventh in the Premiership two years in succession, but manager Peter Reid opted for a more traditional pre-season build up.

Sunderland supporters were perplexed by the decision, especially when arch-rivals Newcastle grabbed the chance of entry this season, going out at the hands of French club Troyes, who qualified for the UEFA Cup.

Now - after seeing Newcastle enjoy success in the competition this summer with a run to the Final - Reid has had a change of heart, and if his side does not automatically qualify for a place in Europe through its League position would consider an Intertoto option.

He said: "We haven't entered the Intertoto in the past because I thought that over the last couple of seasons it was important for us to concentrate purely on establishing ourselves as a solid Premiership club.

"I didn't want to risk entering the competition and find us going into a new Premiership season struggling with potential injuries and suspensions.

"It's not the best to qualify for Europe one season and find yourselves at the bottom of the Premiership the next because you haven't got the squad strength in depth.

"That's the only reason we haven't entered in the past, but I think we'll have a different perspective on the situation now if it comes up again."

He admitted: "To be honest last season I was a little disappointed that we didn't finish higher than seventh.

"But now I feel that we are an established club with an improving and stronger squad and if the Intertoto was to come up again it's something we would have to look at."

Reid assured the club's shareholders at last week's annual meeting that he is still trying to bring in new players, despite paying £4.5m, equalling the club transfer record, to Glasgow Rangers for United States captain Claudio Reyna.

Sunderland have been strongly linked with the former Arsenal and Real Madrid star Nicolas Anelka, who will be available on loan from Paris St-Germain when the French transfer window opens this weekend.

Anelka, who came on as substitute in the UEFA Cup defeat at the hands of Glasgow Rangers last Thursday, is reputed to earn £75,000 a week, which would seem to put him way out of Sunderland's reach, even though PSG are apparently prepared to continue to pay some of the wayward star's wages, a situation which interests Tottenham Hotspur.

Reid said: "I can assure supporters that I'm trying to bring in quality players - some of them get publicised and some of them don't because I prefer not to talk about transfer business until it is completed.

"One player we've been looking at has been highly publicised in recent weeks but there are others that haven't."

Meanwhile England striker Kevin Phillips, who missed a penalty in Sunderland's goal-less draw against Chelsea has expressed dissatisfaction with the playing surface at the Stadium of Light, even though from afar the pitch looks as flat as a billiard table.

Phillips said: "The pitch isn't the best. It might look okay from the stands but it's very bobbly and bumpy and it makes your control that bit harder."

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