SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid has refused to rule Thomas Sorensen out of Saturday's home game against Blackburn Rovers, even thought his star goalkeeper is nursing a broken nose in Denmark, writes FRANK JOHNSON.

Sorensen was forced to leave the field after ten minutes of the disappointing 1-1 World Qualifier against Northern Ireland when he was knocked out in an accidental aerial clash with Preston defender Colin Murdock and initial reports suggested he would be out for at least ten days.

But after speaking to the player yesterday Reid decided to despatch club physiotherapist Mark Leather to Copenhagen to ascertain the exact extent of the injury. The enforced absence of his first-choice goalkeeper could leave Reid with an anxious wait as second choice Jurgen Macho is currently having treatment on a leg injury which forced him to miss Sunderland's opening reserve game last week against Sheffield Wednesday.

Macho was hurt in the warm-up to the Premiership Reserve League game and, with third-choice Michael Ingham on Northern Ireland Under-21 duty, 20-year-old Jon Kennedy was called up as an 11th hour replacement before the 4-2 victory.

Macho was withdrawn from the game as a precaution, however, and it is understood that he would be fully recovered from his injury if required to play against Blackburn Rovers.

However Reid said: "We won't know the full extent of the injury until Mark has had a look at him.

"I am not saying Thomas will be fit for Saturday but I am not going to rule him out until we have had a proper look at the injury."

Sorensen is due back in hospital tomorrow to see whether minor surgery is required.

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