Sunderland's Premiership match at Charlton on Saturday is almost certain to be given the go-ahead.

The game was thrown into doubt earlier this week when surveyors found defects in steel girders in the roof of the six-year-old East Stand at The Valley.

However, following an emergency meeting at the ground yesterday afternoon, experts have devised a plan that will allow the stand to be used as normal.

Work started immediately on two sets of plates which will be bolted in place today on the area where welded girders were starting to open up. Greenwich Council will examine the repair work at 9am tomorrow before Sunderland travel south, but Charlton are confident it will be approved.

Peter Varney, Charlton's chief executive, said last night the plates would provide a permanent solution to the problem.

"The council have told us they are satisfied with this course of action and, once completed, will allow the game to go ahead as normal. We are now absolutely confident the match will be on."

Both clubs were anxious to play the match after excellent results last weekend, but Charlton were poised to ask for a postponement if they were told to close the stand.

Varney said: "Our players were very bubbly after the win over Chelsea and wanted to see the game go ahead, but they would not like to have played in front of an empty stand. That would have affected the atmosphere."

Swedish international Anders Svensson trained with Sunderland yesterday, but manager Peter won't be able to play him in tonight's reserve team game against Leeds at New Ferens Park.

Reid said yesterday: "We've had talks, but we're not far down the line."

Reid would have to pay £1.5m for the 24-year-old who plays for IF Elsborg.

Svensson has been recommended to Reid by midfielder Stefan Schwarz, who will continue his comeback alongside Gavin McCann in the reserves tonight.

l Celtic's out-of-favour goalkeeper Stewart Kerr is considering a move to Cardiff City. The Lanark-born star has become increasingly disillusioned with life at Parkhead following the arrival of Robert Douglas from Dundee and is now well down the pecking order