NEWCASTLE United are today looking to Greek colossus Nikos Dabizas to provide the corner-stone for derby revenge against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Centre-back Dabizas defied medical opinion by making his comeback in Monday's 2-1 home win over West Ham after almost eight months out with a cruciate ligament injury which required surgery.

Manager Bobby Robson had effectively ruled Dabizas out for the remainder of the season, but is delighted to have him back to line up alongside new boy Andy O'Brien.

Robson said: "Dabizas jumps well, defends well, he's resourceful and plays with commitment. We've missed that this season.

"Alain Goma did fine, but we always knew his heart wasn't here, so you didn't know how far he would go.

"As it turned out, he just went far enough to get himself the right move - to Fulham.

"We've had problems all season with Marcelino - we've had two centre-backs who didn't want to play for us - and young Aaron Hughes has done marvellously.''

Keeper Shay Given echoed Robson's sentiments. "I thought Nikos was excellent against West Ham,'' said the Republic of Ireland international.

"I didn't know what to expect from him; I wasn't sure how fit he was. Considering how long he's been out, he was superb.

"Aaron deserves the rest he's been given. He's been brilliant for us this season and has played more games than anyone, but a long Premiership campaign takes its toll.''

The Magpies see Dabizas as the ideal combatant for the aerial threat of Sunderland's Niall Quinn - if the veteran striker starts the game after being troubled by a nagging back injury.

Dabizas was sidelined when Quinn scored Sunderland's winner at St. James' Park in November.

But Given added: "He's come up against Niall before and it's good that he's managed to get a full first-team game under his belt before going to the Stadium of Light.

"It's a big, high-pressure game and Nikos is the type of player everyone wants in that situation. ''

Striker Carl Cort is United's other comeback king. The £7m signing from Wimbledon has grabbed three goals in four games after seven months of hamstring trouble.

And he aims to stay in the scoring groove against a Sunderland side who suffered at his hands last season.

Cort notched a hat-trick for Wimbledon to dump the Wearsiders out of the Worthington Cup and also scored the only goal in the League encounter at Selhurst Park.

"Sunderland are a team I've always managed to do well against,'' said Cort. "I played twice against them last season and scored four.

"I scored against Middlesbrough a few weeks ago and if I could do the same against Sunderland it would be a brilliant derby double.

"It's my first Sunderland-Newcastle derby and it's going to be special. We want revenge for their win at St. James' Park.''

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