SUNDERLAND boss Peter Reid doesn't expect the same kind of Tyne-Wear derby boost he got before his last visit to St James' Park when Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit left England striker Alan Shearer out of his starting line-up.

The shock omission of the United star undoubtedly gave Sunderland a pre-match boost as the Wearsiders went on to win 2-1 in torrential rain.

"When I saw the team sheet I thought we had a chance," said Reid.

"I thought it might have been a resignation team sheet when I saw it.

"I never try to pick other managers' teams but if I had Alan Shearer in my squad he would possibly be the first one in there - unless I had Kevin Phillips.

"But I just felt that when the Newcastle team was announced it deflated St James' Park.

"Ruud Gullit was a world-class player but it didn't work out for him at Newcastle and as a manager you sometimes have to have the players on your side.

"I don't think Bobby Robson would do a thing like that - I think Newcastle will go into this game with all guns blazing."

Shearer and fellow substitute that night, Duncan Ferguson, were straight in to see Gullit the next morning and the Dutchman did not last long after that.

Robson, however, has turned Newcastle around and Reid has the utmost respect for the man who gave him his England chance.

"His record as a football manager is fantastic - he was manager of England and he has worked all over Europe.

"He has turned Newcastle United around but I think his biggest achievement was at Ipswich, where he built two really good sides which played tremendous football.

"With all due respect to Ipswich, when you can do that at an unfashionable club it shows just what a good manager you are.

"He is a very shrewd manager and he knows everything there is to know about football. He is a very good tactician and I would not be surprised if he comes up with a surprise in his team.

"Bobby Robson has a much happier camp at Newcastle and a camp that is altogether. All things considered it is a greater challenge for us this time."

The Wearside boss, however, feels that he is taking his strongest-ever squad to St James' Park for a game he ranks alongside the "Old Firm" derbies in Glasgow between Rangers and Celtic.

He said: "We go there with no apprehension - we go optimistically looking for a victory.

"I know we haven't won away in the Premiership this season but this might just be our day."

Reid certainly knows just how important the game is to both sets of fans.

The day after last season's victory he saw a Sunderland fan wearing a red-and-white jersey with 2-1 on the back.

He said: "Considering that there haven't been a lot of trophies won in the region in recent years the loyalty of the fans of both clubs is frightening.

"They wear their teams' shirts with so much pride it doesn't take people long to get to know about the passion for football in the area.

"I consider myself a lucky person to be manager of a Sunderland team going to play at Newcastle."

l Sunderland have allowed two players to go out on a month's loan - central defender Paul Butler has joined Wolves and Danish international Carsten Fredgaard has linked up with Bolton Wanderers