Sunderland are locked in a race with rivals Newcastle to host one of England's crucial World Cup qualifiers, writes JACK LESLIE.

The crunch game against Albania in early September is still up for grabs and Sunderland vice-chairman John Fickling wants it to be on Wearside.

The Stadium of Light is already staging the final of the European Under 16 championship on May 6.

Fickling said: "We have one of the best club stadiums in the world and our reputation has spread.

"It's a learning curve for all of us, but we have proved we can stage big matches like this. With the problems at Wembley we have four years to get something, but we hope it will be sooner than that. We are still in the running for a major international."

Sunderland staged a friendly with Belgium in October 1999 but a World Cup qualifier would be an altogether more prestigious event.

Newcastle are also in the reckoning and an FA spokesman said that no decision had yet been made.

But he confirmed that both North-East clubs met the criteria and were in contention.

Meanwhile, Fickling has given the clearest indication yet that Peter Reid will agree a new contract to stay at Sunderland when his current deal runs out in the summer.

Reid, who took over six years ago this month, has hugely lifted the profile of the club.

Fickling said: "Peter has done a fabulous job and we would anticipate that he will continue doing it. The relationship we have with Peter and he has with us is well known."

Reid will take charge of his 250th League game as Sunderland boss against Aston Villa on Monday.

The 44-year-old Scouser is now the fifth longest-serving manager in the club's 122-year history. And he looks set to continue for some time yet.

l Former England manager Sir Walter Winterbottom last night led the tributes to former Wolves boss Stan Cullis, who has died aged 85.

Cullis, a cultured centre-half and former England captain, had been living at a Worcestershire nursing home.

He managed Wolves to three League titles and two FA Cup triumphs, and Winterbottom believes he deserves to be compared with legendary Manchester United boss Sir Matt Busby.