PAUL Thirlwell is primed to answer manager Peter Reid's SOS call - if he gets the chance.

The 22-year-old midfielder has not made a senior start since September, but feels he is ready to finally get off the substitutes' bench..

"I have been biding my time for a while now and it gets a bit frustrating,"he said.

"The manager has said that I am doing everything right - at least he hasn't said I'm doing anything wrong - and that I am just going to have to wait."

The club's growing suspension list - including Alex Rae and Darren Williams - and increasing injuries offers Thirlwell hope that his patience will be rewarded before long.

"It would seem a good time for me to come in because of the suspensions, but I'll just be happy to be in the 16 again," Thirlwell said.

"You can't really complain when you are in the first team squad of one of the best teams in the Premiership."

The Newcastle-born midfielder went on loan to Swindon last year and felt the experience gave him the confidence to hold his own in the Premiership.

"Going down to Swindon was great for me. It is a lovely club and I know Michael Reddy is enjoying himself there now just as I did.

"When I got back I played the last three games of the season for Sunderland and I thought maybe I had broken in then, especially when I played the first three this season."

However, Thirlwell returned from an England U-21 call-up in September to discover that he was no longer in the first team.

"It was a big drop to get back from the England set-up and not be in the side to play West Ham," he admitted.

"But I had had a knee injury in the pre-season and I only got through the first game of the season against Arsenal on adrenaline."

Thirlwell has another three years on his contract at Sunderland and feels his long-term future is at the club.

"As long as I am making the squad for matches then I am happy. If I found I was not getting those opportunites then I would have to think again."

Kevin Phillips is also suspended for the Monday's game against Aston Villa.

l Bradford goalkeeper Matt Clarke has spurned the chance of resurrecting his career with First Division promotion hopefuls Bolton.

Clarke has been left to rot in the soccer wilderness by Bantams boss Jim Jefferies, but Bolton manager Sam Allardyce yesterday offered to take the 27-year-old stopper on loan.