SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid bears no grudges against Manchester City, the club which sacked him only four games into a new season, and he believes the Maine Road outfit can battle their way to Premiership safety.

But he goes into today's clash looking for a 50th victory at the Stadium of Light to end a run of two defeats and avenge a 4-2 setback in the second game of the current campaign.

Reid was given his cards by City chairman, the late Peter Swales, at the start of the 1993-94 season and the club has since suffered the ignominy of being overshadowed by Manchester United.

Reid has re-established Sunderland as a top-flight club in his five years at the helm and now has his sights set on bringing European football to Wearside fans, who have responded magnificently to the side's return to the Premiership.

Reid said: "I am not a bitter person - everything has healed now so it is not a problem.

"To be fair to Peter Swales he intimated later it was something he regretted.

"At the time I thought what happened to me was unfair, but at that time there was a lot of politics going on at Maine Road.

"Football is about opinions - me and the chairman fell out and there can only be one winner in that situation."

Reid is genuinely pleased to see City, under the guidance of Joe Royle, back in the big time.

He said: "Manchester City have had their ups and downs since I left and a few managers have come and gone.

"They have got a top-class manager now and they have top-class support. Things are starting to look really rosy for Manchester City.

"The way they have come back is fantastic and I do think they will stay up."

Reid goes into the game without leading scorer Kevin Phillips, who must serve a one-match suspension after picking up five cautions.

The England international, whose 30 goals last season earned him not only the Premiership's Player of the Year award but a reputation which has made life much more difficult in the current campaign, when goals - and space - have been much more difficult to come by.

Reid said: "It is a blow to lose a player of Kevin's ability, especially through suspension.

"I believe defenders are marking him much more tightly and people are looking at him when he has been fouled and has tried to get back and has caught a few people late.

"But Kevin Phillips hasn't got a malicious bone in his body."

Reid has a problem replacing the seven-goal striker and he could turn to Scottish international Don Hutchison, who has missed the last four games through injury.

Hutchison has a chance of making a return against City and he could well get the job of partnering Niall Quinn.

Reid's other options are playing Danny Dichio, who deputised for Quinn in the Worthington Cup quarter-final defeat at Crystal Palace, or playing Irish international Kevin Kilbane up front.

Reid said: "I would not be afraid to play the two big men together - I think they could handle it . But I have options and Don Hutchison may be fit."

Reid expects a hard game against City, who also fell at the Worthington Cup quarter-final stage to Ipswich Town.

He said: "I know Manchester City will have sold all their tickets and it is a game between two massive clubs.

"Knowing Joe Royle like I do I know it will be a really difficult game and it will be a really passionate affair when no quarter will be given or asked.

"We have lost two games and we need to bounce back."

Sunderland's home game with Aston Villa has been put back 48 hours to Monday, March 5