SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid, who boasts his strongest-ever squad in his six-year reign on Wearside, will use this week's final two pre-season friendlies in Holland to decide his best starting line-up for the new campaign.

As he prepared his players for tomorrow night's tough away test against Vitesse Arnhem Reid admitted: "I haven't got a clue what my team will be in the opening game against Ipswich.

"I'm going to have a major problem picking the team - but that's what I want.

"This is the strongest squad I've had since I've been at the club."

Sunderland's build-up has been gradually gathering speed and Reid took great satisfaction from the performances in the four-match tour of the West Country and the Midlands, culminating in a 3-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Sunderland hit 16 goals without conceding as Reid experimented with his line-up and introduced his latest signing, £750,000 Swiss international full-back Bernt Haas, who marked his debut with a cracking goal at the Hawthorns.

Reid said: "These have been typical English games - the teams have worked very hard against us and we've done well.

"We finished very strongly against West Brom, which is pleasing from a fitness point of view.

"Bernt came in and showed what he can do - and it's an added bonus when you can smash in a goal like that.

"He can handle the ball, has strength and pace and will be a good addition to our squad."

Tomorrow night's game at the 32,000-capacity Gelredome is likely to be Sunderland's toughest since they went down to a late penalty goal at Glasgow Celtic two weeks ago.

The Dutch side have a UEFA Cup pedigree in recent seasons and are currently trying to rub shoulders with The Netherlands' big three - Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven. Reid takes his strongest squad across to Holland for the games against Vitesse Arnhem and NAC Breda on Friday night.

He has 19 players all pushing for selection against Ipswich a week on Saturday, including French teenager David Bellion, who has been catching the eye during the pre-season build-up since joining the club on a free transfer.

Reid is delighted with the way 18-year-old Bellion has settled in since his switch from AS Cannes.

Reid admitted: "I've been pleased with David Bellion. For a young player he is exciting and he will cause problems in the Premiership."

He added: "We'll go into the new season with a strong squad and it's a bonus that we haven't picked up any serious injuries throughout our pre-season programme."

Bellion has revealed that he turned down the chance to stay in his native France with Champions League club Nantes to join Sunderland, while Premiership newcomers Fulham were also in the hunt for his signature.

The Parisian said: "A few clubs wanted to sign me but I chose Sunderland because I believe it is a club that can do great things and where I can learn a lot in one of the best leagues in the world.

"I am young and this is a new experience for me but the move has been made easier by the players - they have made me feel like a friend already."

The speedy Bellion, who has been given a warm reception by Sunderland fans after figuring in all of the club's pre-season friendlies, is relishing the prospect of playing at the Stadium of Light.

He said: "I saw the Stadium of Light when I came to sign - it is incredible and I cannot wait to see a game there."

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