VERSATILE former England B international Darren Williams could find himself getting the nod ahead of two current full internationals if Brazilian central defender Emerson Thome is not ready for a return in Sunderland's biggest game of the season against Manchester United next Saturday.

Williams, a bargain £50,000 buy from York City, has played at fullback, centre half and in midfield during his five years on Wearside, though he has been unable to command a regular Premiership place.

But manager Peter Reid has recognised the 24-year-old's ability to adapt his game to different situations and after a brief return to the right-back position in the 2-0 win at Bolton, where he deputised for injured Swiss international Bernt Haas, he could be set for another change of role against the defending champions at the Stadium of Light.

Only the consistent Jody Craddock, who was again outstanding at the Reebok Stadium, can be guaranteed his place in the heart of defence during the continued absence of £4.5m record buy Thome, who is struggling to return to first-team duty after a knee operation performed during a three-match suspension.

Williams was preferred in the 2-2 home draw against Charlton two weeks ago to newly-capped Northern Ireland international George McCartney and Slovakian central defender Stanislave Varga, who is due to make his 39th international appearance against Macedonia today.

Varga, unhappy about being unable to win a regular first-team spot at Sunderland, looked ring-rusty in his first Premiership appearance at Bolton last week and Reid faces a difficult decision about a partner for Craddock against Manchester United if Thome is forced to miss his sixth League game in succession.

The Wearside boss knows he can rely on Williams to do a job if he feels the utility man has the qualities to keep Sir Alex Ferguson's raiders at bay.

Reid looked back on Williams' performance against Charlton and said: "I thought he was outstanding.

"He played really well - he kept winning the ball and passing it from the back when there was a lot of pressure on.

"I'm not usually one for statistics but the Opta Stats backed that up and I was really pleased with the boy."

Williams, who played in York City's memorable Coca Cola Cup defeat of Manchester United after winning 3-0 at Old Trafford in 1995, would love to face the Red Devils again.

* Liverpool's out-of-favour goalkeeper Sander Westerveld would be tempted by a move to Rangers.

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