SUNDERLAND players have banned talk of Europe at this year's Christmas party - 12 months after coming a cropper.

Striker Niall Quinn revealed: "We mentioned Europe last year and went on a 12-match disaster.

"We were two minutes away from going top of the league, then we had our Christmas party and we were still at it three weeks later! We plan to tone things down this time."

Sunderland are currently sixth in the Premiership table after losing just once in 15 matches. Last season they didn't win between Boxing Day and the end of March.

But they have no intention of slipping up in tomorrow's derby clash with Middlesbrough - when a victory would see them climb into fourth place ahead of Liverpool and Ipswich, who meet on Sunday.

Boss Peter Reid has promised no let-up and insists his team will be ready for Terry Venables when Boro's new coach makes his return to football at the Stadium of Light.

Reid said: "When somebody comes in they generally get a reaction and Boro will be choking to impress. We have to be up for it and we will."

Argentinian winger Julio Arca can't wait to sample the atmosphere of a sell-out home derby crowd. "It couldn't come at a better time," he said. "Everybody is on a high here because we are playing really well."

Arca watched Kevin Phillips take the Premiership by storm on television in South America last season.

And he added: "Kevin seems to be hitting another goal streak. We've been winning games when he hasn't scored so it's great for the team now that he's threatening to bang in a lot."

Reid is still waiting for a fitness verdict on Chris Makin and Don Hutchison.

Bolton meanwhile are weighing up a bid for Carsten Fredgaard as the £1.8m Danish winger approaches the final week of his loan spell at the Reebok Stadium.

Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce confirmed: "Carsten came here on loan with a view to a permanent move if the whole package is acceptable. "It's fair to say his future at Sunderland is not looking that great. But if he could come here and show the form that persuaded Peter Reid to buy him, he could certainly enhance his career with us."

lSunderland have warned fans of the possibility of train disruption when they play Leeds at Elland Road next weekend.

Northern Spirit has informed the club that due to major engineering work here will be no access to Leeds from the north and east on December 16