SUNDERLAND striker Danny Dichio will try to shoot his way into Premiership contention in tonight's Worthington Cup second round second leg tie at Luton.

The 25-year-old former England Under-21 international goes into his first senior game of the season knowing that the only way he can hope to challenge first team rival Niall Quinn is to maintain his fine scoring record in the League Cup competition.

Last season Dichio hit four goals in three Worthington Cup ties, and he is aiming to extend Sunderland's 3-0 advantage over their Second Division opponents at Kenilworth Road.

Dichio has been linked with a possible move back to his former club, Queens Park Rangers, but he believes his future lies with Sunderland, where he has just signed a new four-year contract.

Dichio said: "It is flattering to be linked with other clubs, especially my old club, but I have just signed a new contract and I am pushing to get into the first team here.

"I don't know how these rumours start, but I see my future with Sunderland.

"If I left this club I would be taking a step down and I don't want to do that in my career.

"I want to play for a big club like Sunderland and I still think I can do a job here and push Niall Quinn hard for his place this season.

"I think I have been pushing him over the last couple of years and he has responded by playing the best football of his life.

"It is frustrating but the way Quinny has been playing I can't complain. But if I can put away a few goals it will put me back into the reckoning."

Dichio will lead the attack against Luton, probably alongside Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Michael Reddy, as manager Peter Reid again rings the changes.

Last week he brought in eight new faces for the first leg and tonight probably only midfielder Darren Williams will remain from the side which drew 1-1 at Liverpool.

But Dichio will warn his teammates to be on their guard against Luton because he knows from a brief spell on loan at Barnet during his QPR days that the underdogs sometimes have their day.

"Luton will be trying to prove something to their fans and it is up to us to give a good account of ourselves. It is certainly not a walk-over."

Reid said: "Danny Dichio has been outstanding in the few games he has had in this competition and his goal ratio is excellent. He is fit now and it is a good game for him to come into.

"He is a great asset to have because he can certainly stick the ball in the net if he gets half the chance."

Reid knows how important the first goal will be.

"If we can score first it will kill the game off, but if Luton get a goal it will give them a sniff and boost their hopes of a fight back."

Reid will give 18-year-old central defender Ben Clarke, the former England schoolboys skipper, his debut and Scottish B international Alex Rae will make his return after injury and a four-match suspension.

Sunderland (from): Machio, Marriott, P Butler, T Butler, Clarke, Fredgaard, Oster, Rae, Williams, McCartney, McGill, Nunez, Reddy, Roy, Thirlwell and Wainwright.

l Reid paid tribute to central defender Steve Bould, who has been forced to retire through injury.

The 37-year-old former England international helped re-establish the Wearsiders in the Premiership last season after being bought from Arsenal for £500,000.

Reid said: "It is always sad when a top-drawer player has to retire through injury.

"He came here to do a job and it is no coincidence that we finished seventh in the table.

"After Christmas, when he got injured, we went through a bad spell.

"He came here to do a specific job, he's done it for us. He doesn't owe us anything and from my point of view he is a fantastic pro, a great player and an excellent person.

"He has been told he can come to the training ground any time he likes and he will be made welcome."

Bould, who won three Championships, the European Cup Winners' Cup, FA Cup and League Cup after joining Arsenal from his home town club, Stoke City, said: "The injury to my big toe means I will be unable to continue to play at the highest level and I have therefore decided to retire at the peak of my career.

"I've had a long and successful career in football, which I have thoroughly enjoyed and I'm hoping to stay in the game perhaps by trying my hand at coaching.

"I would like to say a big thank you to all of the Sunderland, Arsenal and Stoke fans who have given me their support during my career.