FIT-AGAIN Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn believes some unsuspecting Premiership side will feel the backlash when Sunderland click back into goal-scoring gear.

Peter Reid's men have won only one League game in the last nine, failing to score in six of them.

But Quinn, itching to regain his place in the starting line-up against Spurs at the Stadium of Light today, is confident that the next goal will start the flow again as the team press for European qualification in the last six games of the season.

He said: "I can't stress the importance of that one goal, that one result.

"It is vital - everyone knows we need a goal and we need a win sooner rather than later."

Quinn is anxious, however, that his team-mates do not worry too much about not getting the goals they feel their attacking play has deserved recently.

"You can overdo it and think about it too much and perhaps stop doing the things you've been doing well," he admitted.

"You know it's going to come and you can feel it is going to come - and someone will be on the end of it when it does come. That's the way we have got to feel.

"It is so close to being nearly perfect, but there is such a fine line between success and failure it's incredible.

"But we're here to be shot at - loved or loathed, that's the nature of the game.

"Let's just hope we can do it against Spurs and I do think we have a good chance. Certainly no-one is feeling down and there are lots of good things about us.

"Six weeks into the season some people had us relegated and it just shows how far we have come.

"I admit there has probably been a little apprehension around when Europe starts getting mentioned. The way to end that is to work through it and get a win like the way Leeds have done. No-one thought they would do what they are doing now."

Quinn has not started a game since the 1-1 home draw against Aston Villa on March 5 because of a persistent back injury, but is raring to go after undergoing special exercises in the gymnasium to strengthen his muscles.

He explained: "It has been quite strenuous, hard work on the stomach and back so I will be able to take knocks.

"I have done it every day for three and a half weeks and without doubt I have felt the benefit.

"If I'd taken a knock in the back five or six weeks ago I would have felt crippled, but when I came on against Middlesbrough I took a couple but I felt a lot stronger.

"Usually I am a bit wary of things like that but I must say it has worked for me.

"Football has moved on so much. Ten years ago I think ice would have been the treatment."

Whether Quinn can stand up to two matches in three days remains to be seen, but he admits that Easter could be the crunch for Sunderland's hopes of getting into Europe.

He said: "We have got to win very soon to keep ourselves right in there and Saturday and Monday will be vital.

"Historically Easter has always been a very, very important time in soccer and for us it could be make or break.

"I would say four points would keep us right in it, six would give us a great chance but none would be a disaster.

"We need a win and we will be going all out for it against Spurs. The crowd will be right up for it and if we can get a goal I'm sure the stadium will erupt because everyone is just waiting for it to happen."