SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid last night flashed out a warning not to write off Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn.

The 33-year-old Dubliner is still on Wearside resting and receiving further treatment to a troublesome back injury and is not involved in Sunderland's tough, week-long training camp in Northern France.

Reid has splashed out £3.6m on French international striker Lilian Laslandes, who is set to partner goal ace Kevin Phillips in next Tuesday night's opening friendly against Calais Racing Club.

And while he has been more than impressed with his capture from Bordeaux, Reid is quick to emphasise that Quinn is very much in his thoughts for next season.

He said: "People have said that Laslandes is Niall's replacement, but that is unfair.

"There is no-one quite like Niall Quinn and although he is not in France with us he's fit and raring to go this season. Don't write him off."

Laslandes, capped seven times by France, is looking forward to playing in the Premiership and Reid likes what he has seen in training.

He said: "You don't play for France a number of times without being a decent player.

"The French have a lot of quality attacking players and Lilian has featured for them in recent years.

"People have likened him to Quinn, but he's a different sort of player.

"With Kevin Phillips, who is looking sharp, Quinn, Danny Dichio, Kevin Kyle and now Lilian I have some good attacking options. He has settled in well."

Laslandes knows all about Calais Racing Club after Bordeaux' shock French Cup exit at the hands of the little Britanny club two years ago at the Stade Julien Denis, which was like a Premiership side being knocked out by a Third Division club.

* Sunderland fans can see an exhibition in tribute to the late Len Shackleton when Sunderland send a team to Bradford Park Avenue's Horsfall Stadium for a friendly next Wednesday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

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