REPUBLIC of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane is determined to silence the critics whose hostility forced Sunderland manager Peter Reid to leave the £2.5m star out of the ill-fated FA Cup Fifth Round home tie against West Ham United.

The 26-year-old winger did not even make the substitute bench, despite the absence of four regular first teamers through injury and suspension - and Reid admitted he'd decided to "protect" the player, who came in for crowd abuse in his last home appearance against Liverpool.

"I just felt Kevin Kilbane has lost a little bit of confidence," said Reid. "He is a smashing player and a smashing lad, but I felt I had to protect him.

"He will be back, don't worry about that, but I just felt it was the right decision for the lad."

Kilbane was a regular choice on the right flank until just before Christmas, when his place was taken by Scottish international Don Hutchison and he found himself relegated to the role of substitute.

His last appearance at the Stadium of Light was against Liverpool, when he replaced Argentinian crowd favourite Julio Arca and was targeted by hostile fans.

Kilbane has been given a vote of confidence by Republic of Ireland team manager Mick McCarthy, who has picked him for the friendly against Denmark in Dublin at the end of the month.

But the winger admitted: "It's bound to affect you a little bit when the crowd are having a go.

"I suppose if you are not playing well then the crowd are going to give you stick - that's the way it's always been and the way it is always going to be."

Kilbane knows he needs to pull himself back to the form which made him one of the most exciting prospects in the Premiership following his transfer from West Bromwich Albion in December 1999.

After ten games on the bench Kilbane admitted: "Things have been on a bit of a downer for me in the last few weeks and I suppose my confidence is flagging at the moment because I'm not used to the situation I'm in.

"I've been fortunate in my career to hold down a regular first team starting place and being a substitute probably doesn't come easy to anyone - we all want to be out there playing.

"I have to put the disappointments of the last few weeks out of my mind and start enjoy going out on to the field again, start enjoy training and hopefully the rest will fall into place.

"It's been more than six weeks now since I played a full game and it has been disappointing, but when the Ireland squad was announced it gave me a big lift.

"It reminded me you don't become a bad player overnight and I have to try to get back the form I was showing at the start of the season."

Kilbane, however, accepts that he might have to adapt his game to force his way back into the Sunderland team.

He said: "I've got to change a few things about myself, work hard and try to get back into the starting line-up."

l Sunderland fans can pre-book season tickets for the next campaign from tomorrow.

Non-season ticket holders can pay a deposit of £10 and will be told which seats are available before they go on general sale and will receive a free copy of the club's official book All The Lads, listing every player to wear the red-and-white stripes.

Existing season ticket holders will receive renewal details for the 2001-02 season through the post in April.

Fans wishing to take advantage of the new offer should call 0191 5515101 or 5515102 with their names, addresses and credit card details.

l Danish club Lyngby, who sold Carsten Fredgaard to Sunderland for £1.8m in 1999, are believed to be interested in re-signing the unhappy midfielder if they can agree a cut-price deal. Fredgaard, who recently returned from a loan spell at Bolton, has been unable to establish himself in the first team, making only one appearance this season as sub