SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid will give youth its fling in tomorrow night's Worthington Cup second round away tie against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Wearside boss has been delighted with the way 20-year-old central defender George McCartney has grabbed his first team chance after impressing in the pre-season build up and he is likely to call up at least another two fringe players at Hillsborough.

With Danish international Thomas Sorensen still nursing a broken nose and second choice Jurgen Macho troubled with a thigh injury, Reid could give Northern Ireland Under-21 keeper Michael Ingham a belated birthday present by giving him his first senior start.

Preston-born Ingham, who was signed from Irish side Cliftonville, celebrated his 21st birthday last week as Reid was facing a goalkeeping crisis, and if Sorensen had not volunteered to play against Blackburn Rovers might have received a shock call-up.

Ingham, who was on the subs' bench five times last season, could get the nod if Reid decides to take no chances with Sorensen before Sunday's tough away game at Aston Villa.

Ingham, who played seven games on loan last season for Carlisle United, was named as substitute in the 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers and is set to get his big chance against struggling Wednesday, who went down 2-0 at Birmingham on Saturday.

Another young player champing at the bit to play in the first team is Paul Thirlwell, who looked set to be the next youth team product to win a regular first team place when he played in the opening three games of last season.

But the England Under-21 midfielder found himself more often than not in the role of substitute and his last senior appearance was at Coventry in February when, after being an unused substitute 16 times, he replaced Swedish international Stefan Schwarz in a 1-0 defeat.

Thirlwell was in the Worthington Cup starting line up in both games against Luton Town last season and now he is hoping to get his first senior call up of the new campaign.

The 22-year-old Tynesider said: "If the gaffer does make changes for the Worthington Cup game I certainly hope to be involved.

"I'm feeling strong and fit - I've got a couple of reserve games under my belt and I'd love to be involved in the first team again."

Thirlwell gained valuable experience by playing 12 games on loan for Swindon Town the season before last, but he is hoping that his long-term future lies at Sunderland.

He said: "I love it here. Ideally I want to be starting games but first I've got to work at getting back in the 16 for League games."

Reid will announce his squad today, but revealed: "I'll be making changes but that is not devaluing the Worthington Cup competition.

"I have done it since I have been at the club, playing players who haven't been getting games, and I will continue to do so.

"We've been to the semi-final and the quarter final before and it is a competition we would like to win - but certainly there will be changes."

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