SUNDERLAND fans' favourite Chris Makin is hoping for a recall in tomorrow night's top-of-the-table home clash against Premiership champions Manchester United - the team he supported as a boy.

The 27-year-old missed three games with a groin injury, but came on as a second half substitute in the 1-0 FA Cup victory over Ipswich Town, which earned the Wearsiders a Fifth Round home tie against West Ham United, conquerers of the Red Devils.

Makin replaced left-back Michael Gray in the cup tie, but the Sunderland skipper is expected to be recovered from a slight hamstring injury to line-up against a Manchester United side still smarting from a shock FA Cup exit at the hands of the little-fancied Londoners.

Makin was one of Sunderland's most consistent performers this season and has been virtually an automatic choice at right back since his £500,000 transfer from Marseilles just over three years ago.

But his emergency replacement, the versatile Darren Williams, has done a fine job and manager Peter Reid faces a difficult decision, which Makin fully appreciates.

He said: "The lads have done brilliantly this season when we have had players out and I don't think there are too many players who are pretty much guaranteed a place these days.

"Last season I think the injuries and suspensions we had after Christmas were a big influence on us struggling the way we did.

"But over the summer the manager made some important signings to give us a little extra and, just as importantly to give us strength in depth. That has meant we are not so vulnerable now to losing players and hopefully it's going to help ensure that we don't drop away this season."

Makin, who missed the entire December programme with a thigh injury, played in the 1-0 reserve defeat at the hands of Manchester United last Thursday night and then underlined his fitness by deputising for Gray against Ipswich, making some storming runs up the left.

Makin, who returned after his first injury to help lift Sunderland into third place in the Premiership with a 4-1 victory at Bradford on Boxing Day, found himself side-lined again after only three games and admitted: "I'm never happy when I'm injured and I just want to play games.

"It's been tougher for me this time because the lads have gone on an excellent run to climb into Second place in the Premiership. Everyone's on a high and you just want to be involved."

Reid must also wait on a fitness check on Brazilian centre half Emerson Thome, who missed the Ipswich game with a calf injury, before deciding on who will play in the heart of his defence.

Slovakian international Stanislav Varga returned after suspension against Ipswich to stake his claim with a solid performance alongside Jody Craddock, arguably Sunderland's outstanding central defender this season.

Although Danny Dichio, who got the match-winner against Ipswich, is ruled out through a one-match suspension received following his dismissal in the FA Cup replay victory at Crystal Palace, Reid will be able to recall his main strike force of Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips against Manchester United.

Quinn's troublesome back injury benefited from the rest against Ipswich, while Phillips is raring to go again after feeling "heavy legged" in the cuptie, resulting in his half-time substitution.

Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, who finally broke into the Danish international side in November following an injury to the long-serving Peter Smeichel, has had a brilliant season.

But his consistent performances have not been witnessed first-hand by Danish coach Morten Olsen, who has revealed he is reluctant to watch English football.

He explained: "I haven't been to England for a while. They play so many games that the players become jaded and the pitches are usually in a very poor condition."

Olsen's reluctance to watch Sorensen in action may cost the Sunderland keeper is international place after his break through against Germany.

The Danish coach said: "Nothing has changed regarding the choice of goalkeeper.

"It was just a matter of time before Peter regained full fitness after his lay-off through injury."

Sorensen is concentrating on the visit of Manchester United, when he will be trying to keep his fourth consecutive clean sheet at the Stadium of Light.

He said: "Everyone will be fired up for the Man United game and we are desperate to win it.

"To think it is first versus second in the Premiership is great for Sunderland and although they are a quality team we will fancy our chances.

"We are unbeaten at home this season and we have done well against Manchester United in their last two visits to the Stadium of Light, so you never know."

l Sunderland's attractive FA Cup Fifth Round tie against West Ham United has quickly been snapped up by Sky Sports and the game, at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, February 17, will be televised live and the kick-off time has been brought forward to 12 noon