ULTRA-CONSISTENT Sunderland centre-half Jody Craddock has set himself the target of playing in every Premiership game this season.

The 26-year-old Midlander has been the Wearsiders' outstanding defender in their opening three games and after periods of uncertainty about his career with Sunderland is now one of the first names manager Peter Reid pens on to his team sheet.

The six-footer, who was bought for a bargain £300,000 from Cambridge United in August, 1997, said: "Twelve months ago I was struggling a bit and it looked as though I might have to make way for someone else. But things have changed round completely - I've been given my chance and I think I've taken it well. Now I want to play in every single game this season, that's my ambition."

Prospects did not look too great for Craddock when Reid brought in Slovakian Stanislav Varga last summer and the fiery haired defender was allowed to go out on loan to Sheffield United, playing in ten First Division games.

But he retunred to the fold and formed an effective central defensive partnership with £4.5m record buy Emerson Thome, playing in 34 Premiership games.

Craddock said: "Emerson and I seem to have bonded well together and seem to play well off each other's strengths.

"The way we operate at the back seems to suit my style - I've got a bit of pace and I can get round and pick up quick centre-forwards."

Now Craddock wants to build on his excellent start by becoming an automatic first team choice.

He said: "I think I managed to play a couple of full seasons in the team in my four years at Cambridge but hamstring injuries have prevented me from starting the last couple of seasons with Sunderland. Now I hope I can keep injury-free and play right through."

* Sunderland are unlikely to use any of the £5.25m received from West Ham United for Scottish international Don Hutchison to pursue Liverpool's former Middlesbrough midfielder Nick Barmby.

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