SWEDISH skipper Stefan Schwarz has a burning ambition to win an FA Cup winners' medal with Sunderland - and bring his international collection to five.

The much-travelled midfielder, hailed yesterday by Wearside boss Peter Reid as a "model professional", has been a cup-winner in Sweden, Italy, Portugal and Spain with Malmo, Fiorentina, Benfica and Valencia.

But he reckons that an FA Cup winners' medal would have pride of place in his trophy cabinet.

Schwarz, who is expected to be in the starting line-up for this afternoon's third-round tie against Crystal Palace at the Stadium of Light, does not know of any other player who has been successful in cup finals in four different countries.

"Now I am looking forward to having a good run in the FA Cup with Sunderland," he said.

"It is a very difficult competition to win because it is so special.

"I don't know if anyone else has won four cup-winners medals in four different countries but it would be marvellous if I could add another to my collection here."

Schwarz knows just how much the FA Cup is revered internationally.

He said: "The FA Cup is known all over the world - it is a big competition.

"I would say that the Spanish Cup is very much like it - it is very, very big and a very important competition in Spain.

"I remember what it meant to the city of Valencia when we won the Cup. People were celebrating on the streets after we had beaten Athletico Madrid in the final.

"All of my cup successes were very important but the one in Spain was very special to me because it was the most recent of my career.

"In other countries what you really want to win is the league championship, but I think in England the Cup it is on an equal footing and maybe more.

"There is something special about the FA Cup."

Schwarz, who came on as a second-half substitute against Ipswich and scored the fourth goal in a victory which lifted the Wearsiders into third place in the Premiership, level on points with Arsenal, has made a full recovery from a career-threatening Achilles tendon injury, which kept him out of action for nine months.

With exciting left-winger Julio Arca back in South America to help Argentina in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, Schwarz is set to come into the side, though he will not occupy the same role as the teenager.

Schwarz said: "I am not a left winger, I am a central midfield player, and if I am selected I will try to do my best.

"I am getting back to full fitness but I need games.

"It is a great feeling to be back in action and the team has made a good start to the New Year.

"I think the home supporters saw what we could do against Ipswich, who are a difficult side. In the second half we played some brilliant football and we deserved to win."

Reid has been delighted with the way Schwarz has fought his way back after such a serious injury.

He said: "People told me what a first-class professional he was but you don't really know until you work with players.

"Often he was in for training and treatment an hour before everyone else and for a fellow who has done just about everything in the game I think it speaks volumes.

"He has a fantastic attitude to football. He is a model professional and he is possibly the best I have ever come across in terms of looking after his fitness.

"When we have team talks he often seeks clarification of certain points - he has been everywhere in the world but he is not afraid to ask."

Schwarz made his first start for Sunderland since March in the 2-2 draw at Arsenal, but lost his place to Arca on New Year's Day.

Reid admitted: "I don't think he was too happy about that and I think his is champing at the bit to play against Crystal Palace."