VERSATILE England B international Darren Williams is hoping to renew his central defensive Sunderland partnership with Jody Craddock at the Stadium of Light this afternoon and rekindle memories of the Wembley classic between the clubs.

Williams and Craddock were in the heart of the Wearside defence in the thrilling 4-4 First Division play-off final, which was won by Charlton in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out after extra time.

But the two young players, who'd been brought together when Sunderland were struggling earlier in the 1997-98 season, were disappointed when the partnership was broken up the following season.

"The play-off final was one of the most memorable matches of my career," recalled the Teessider.

"Playing in a final at Wembley was really special, but at the same time it was terribly disappointing to lose out like we did. Three Premiership points against Charlton would help make up for some of that disappointment."

He stands by to take over from young Northern Ireland international Gerge McCartney, who limped off with a groin strain against Spurs in midweek, throwing Williams into the thick of battle against star strikers Teddy Sheringham and Les Ferdinand.

"I didn't get much chance to find my feet - it was a matter of being right on my toes from the moment I went on to the field against two very experienced players," he said.

"But it was great to renew my partnership with Jody and hopefully everything went well for us, except for the result.

"I was raring to go and I'm desperate to play in the first team."

Williams admits a "nice jealousy" as he watches Craddock blossom week after week in his regular first team role.

He said: "Jody has done really well and he is a good friend of mine.

"I'm a bit jealous of him being in the team week after week but it is a nice jealousy and I'm pleased he has got on so well.

"He was out of the picture for a while last season and went out on loan to Sheffield United.

"All credit to him - he's come back and has become one of the best central defenders in the League. He's proved it week in and week out and hopefully things will go well for him."

Williams admitted: "Our partnership got broken up just after the play-off final and we were really disappointed about that.

"When we came together the team was third bottom of the First Division and we helped to pick the team up.

"If I play against Charlton it will be the first time we have played together for a long time - fingers crossed I get my chance."

The Wembley defeat at the hands of Charlton still irks Williams. "As I say it was very disappointing at the end of the game to lose like that," he said.

"What's happened in the past has passed, but I do think you sometimes hold little grudges and we still feel we owe Charlton one. Hopefully we can settle that this time."

Williams, who has played in the centre of defence, at fullback and in the midfield for Sunderland since his bargain £50,000 transfer from York City on the recommendation of youth team coach Ricky Sbragia in October 1996, has made only one first team start this season in the 4-2 Worthington Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday earlier this month. And the Spurs game was his first taste of Premiership football in the current campaign.

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