SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid last night allayed fears that the playing career of Republic of Ireland international Niall Quinn might be threatened after spending two days in hospital after the home defeat against Manchester United.

The 34-year-old striker, who has been troubled constantly this season by a back injury, suffered a severe spasm in his neck which forced his first-half substitution against the Premiership champions - but Reid revealed that the two injuries are unconnected.

Quinn misses this afternoon's game at Derby, which is only the second time this season he has failed to start a League game, and Reid said: "If the injury had been something to do with his back it would obviously have been a concern.

"But I am told that the injury is a spasm which just happened and it is totally different and is not connected with his back injury.

"You are always worried when a player gets brought off and he has had a back problem.

"But I have been assured this is not a major injury and certainly he does feel a lot easier and he will be back on the training pitch on Monday. He has a chance of playing against Liverpool next week and that will be a big bonus."

There have been fears that Quinn's recurring back problems might get to a stage where he is forced to take a complete rest from the game, but the Dubliner is prepared to battle on in a bid to help Sunderland maintain their challenge for a place in Europe.

Quinn brushes aside suggestions that Quinn is particularly worried about sustaining more injuries as he got older.

He said: "It was a worry for Niall having two ligament injuries - a far bigger worry but he bounced back from those.

"Compared to that this is a walk in the park."

Quinn's place at Pride Park will be taken by Danny Dichio, and Reid believes that his troops will go into a hard game with confidence even though they went down 1-0 at home to Manchester United in midweek.

He said: "Even though Wednesday's result was disappointing I think the players took a lot out of the performance ability wise and attitude wise, which were outstanding and I have a lot of praise for them.

"I think they took a lot of heart, belief and confidence from their performance against the best side in the country.

"We gave them a really good run for their money - they may have been disappointed to lose but it has given them a lot of confidence."

Reid had sympathy with Alex Rae, who faces a three match ban after being sent off after bumping heads with England striker Andy Cole, and, after watching a video of the clash, felt that both were unlucky to be given their marching orders by Tring referee Graham Poll. But the Scottish B international will be disciplined along with skipper Michael Gray, who will miss two games after his sending off for using foul and abusive language to the referee.

The suspensions will start before the FA Cup Fifth Round home tie against West Ham United, and both will be available for the next two games, against Derby and Liverpool.

He expects his team to get back on track at Derby, though he anticipates a difficult game.

He said: "Colin Todd has linked up with Jim Smith and I think Derby have tightened up at the back.

"In many ways it will be just as difficult as the Manchester United game - they are fighting for their Premiership lives and knowing Jim Smith it will be very hard there.

"But it is a bounce-back job for us and seeing how the team reacts after defeat. But our recent form has been good and our performances have given me heart.

"Manchester United haven't battered us and I think the players will be all right - but the only way to find out is on the football pitch."

Brazilian central defender Emerson Thome, who only lasted for seven minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute against Manchester United, is again ruled out with a calf injury. But 14-goal striker Kevin Phillips, who finished in midweek with a dead leg, has made a full recovery and will lead the attack.

lDerby manager Jim Smith is hoping to finalise a deal with Taribo West's management team that will see the player remain at the club until the end of the season.

But Smith says he is looking for a number of guarantees after West went missing following Nigeria's World Cup qualifier against Sudan last weekend.

West reported back for training only yesterday morning after failing to turn up for the midweek game at Charlton, which Derby lost 2-1.

Smith has decided against disciplinary action after West's advisors said the player had to deal with ''a serious problem''.

West will now line up against Sunderland tomorrow although the Derby manager is still angry at not getting even a phone call from him.

''Taribo trained this morning and will play on Saturday,'' said Smith. ''He said he is ready.

''I am going to meet with him and his advisors shortly to try and finally seal a deal until the end of the season.

''I am reasonably confident. There again I was confident he would turn up at Charlton.

''We've had a chat, but a very brief one. I've not had a one-to-one yet with Taribo.

''I think Taribo is a bit embarrassed but that's the end of the matter as far as I am concerned. There won't be any disciplinary action.

''He knows I am not very happy and neither are the players to some extent.''

Smith and West's advisors met in Milan last week and a verbal agreement was reached on a new short-term deal. But West's behaviour this week has put Derby's veteran boss on his guard.

''We need certain guarantees in the new contract regarding international football and his return here afterwards,'' said Smith.

''With Taribo you get a certain amount of baggage. He's from a different culture and we have to try and regulate as much as we can.''

West has been an influential presence in the Derby defence since arriving from AC Milan in Novemberand seems certain to start with Youl Mawene sidelined