SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid has backed Middlesbrough counterpart Bryan Robson to emerge as a stronger coach thanks to the help of Terry Venables.

Reid pits his wits against the Boro management duo in Monday night's Tees-Wear clash at the Riverside Stadium.

And he believes Boro, inspired by head coach Venables, will climb away from the Premiership danger zone - and old friend Robson will bounce back after a difficult season.

Reid said: "Bryan is one of my best friends in football. We go back a long time.

"Knowing him he will bounce back. Bryan and Terry Venables have worked together before and Bryan feels comfortable with that.

"Certainly he will be back without a problem and I do think Middlesbrough will stay up. I hope they do.

"Looking at the fixtures they have some hard games coming up but they are a difficult side to play.

"When you look back on their results this season they have drawn more games than they would have liked."

Teessider Darren Williams, meanwhile, is desperate to win back his Sunderland place for the crucial derby game.

The 23-year-old England B international believes that his experience of previous white-hot exchanges between the clubs will earn him the nod over new recruit Patrice Carteron.

The versatile Williams had hoped that the shock £1.2m transfer of Chris Makin to Ipswich Town might provide him with a more regular place in the starting line-up at right-back.

But French defender Carteron, signed on loan from St. Etienne until the end of the season, was thrown straight into the team at Chelsea, where Sunderland won 4-2, and held his place in the disappointing 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Leeds United last week.

"When Chris left, I expected to get into the side because I'd played at right-back a few times this season and when it didn't happen I was gutted," admitted Williams.

"The Middlesbrough game is very special to me and I'm just hoping that my name will be on the team-sheet."

Williams, who has proved a bargain £50,000 buy from York City, still savours the winning goal he scored against Boro after being brought into the team for the final four games of a season which was to end in relegation from the Premiership for the two North-East rivals

He said: "I'll never forget that game. At the time it was great for the club because we were desperate for three points and my goal helped us get them."

Now the scenario has changed completely, with Sunderland still looking to win entry into Europe and Boro fighting for their Premiership lives.

It is this appreciation of the importance of the game, and his whole-hearted performances wherever he has been asked to play in vital matches, that Williams hopes will earn him a recall.

He said: "It is bound to be a red hot atmosphere at the Riverside with so much at stake for both teams.

"It's going to be lively, it's going to be physical and it's going to be a really quick game and maybe the more experience you have in derby games the better.

"I have played a lot at right-back and I have already played against Middlesbrough this season.

"I know what this game is all about and hopefully the manager knows that. Come Monday I just want to see my name in the first 11."

Williams, who attended Middlesbrough's Centre of Excellence before being allowed to join York, believes the Teessiders will fight off the threat of relegation.

He said: "They are a good enough team and have good enough players.

" I don't think it is a big worry for them at this time, but they will be fighting for everything they can get against us.

"I think they have too many good players and too good a backroom staff to go down.

"I think the players will rally round and they will be safe at the end of the season."

Reid is confident Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn will be back in action after being sidelined for a month with a troublesome back injury.

The problem has subsided with rest and special yoga-style exercises.

Reid said: "Niall will train with us over the next couple of days and I expect him to be in the squad, which is a massive boost.

"When you look at the Premiership table it is a must-win game for both sides and this will add even more spice to a derby."

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