SUNDERLAND goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is set to take over the reins from Danish legend Peter Schmeichel, who yesterday announced his retirement from international football.

Sorensen, 24, is likely to get his first call-up as Denmark's new number-one in next Wednesday night's friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin, when he will be lining up against club-mates Niall Quinn and Kevin Kilbane.

And last night a delighted Sorensen said: "This is exciting news for me.

"I am obviously very happy and it is a big opportunity for me to establish myself as the number one - I know I will be given that chance.

"I thought I would be back on the bench for the Ireland game next week and this adds spice to the season."

He added: "The World Cup is a long way away but now the challenge for me is to help Denmark qualify - we have some exciting games coming up."

Sorensen has started only once for Denmark, in a friendly against Germany last November when Schmeichel was injured playing for Sporting Lisbon and before that he had made one appearance as substitute against Israel.

Wearside boss Peter Reid said that Denmark were fortunate to have such a ready-made replacement for the man who had made a record 128 appearances for his country.

He said: "I just think Thomas Sorensen is one of a rare breed and I would not swap him for any other goalkeeper.

"For Denmark to have two such top quality goalkeepers is remarkable and I think they are tremendously fortunate to have such a top class replacement."

He added: "When Thomas joined Sunderland he was relatively inexperienced. But he has learnt a lot and he is getting better all the time."

He will naturally be delighted to become first choice, for only last week he said he was resigned to being Schmeichel's understudy for another year or two and even doubted if he would play in Dublin.

But the decision by the 37-year-old Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper, who says he wishes to concentrate on his club career in Portugal, opens the door for Sorensen, who has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership since joining Sunderland for a bargain £1m from OB Odense in August 1998.

The great Dane rapidly established himself as a crowd favourite at the Stadium of Light and kept 29 clean sheets in Sunderland's 1999 First Division Championship campaign.

Meanwhile, Reid has decided not to make another personal check on giant Anderlecht striker, Jan Koller, in tonight's make-or-break UEFA Champions League return Group D match with Leeds United in Brussels, though he maintains an interest.

Reid confirmed last night: "I have watched him a few times and I like the boy - I think he is a good player.

"But he is an Anderlecht player and I haven't spoke to anyone at the club about him."

Reid, who sees the Czech international as a possible replacement for Quinn, watched Koller in action at Elland Road last week and his enthusiasm was not blunted by a below-par performance and a terrible miss from the 6ft 8ins tall centre forward.

Koller, who was voted Belgium's Player of the Year for 2000, has just signed an extended contract with Anderlecht, who are reported to have slapped a £16m price-tag on their star forward.

There has been speculation that Sunderland would be prepared to double their club transfer record by paying £9m for Koller, but Reid is likely to wait for the future of transfers in Europe to be decided before committing the club to any large outlay.

l Sunderland are checking out Norwegian Under-21 international midfielder Alex Valencia, who is currently training on Wearside.

The 20-year-old Brann Bergen player impressed in a tournament in La Manga, Spain, last week, and has been valued by his club at around £800,000, though Reid stressed last night that no fee has been discussed

l Denmark coach Morten Olsen has included several British-based players in his squad to face Ireland.

Along with Sorensen, Rangers' reserve-team keeper Jesper Christiansen, Fulham's Bjarne Goldbaek, Thomas Gravesen of Everton, Charlton midfielder Claus Jensen and Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjae have all been named.