UNDER-PRESSURE Sunderland manager Peter Reid is expecting more from his star players as the team tries to battle its way out of the Premiership danger-zone.

A disappointing return of only four points from the opening five games has seen the Wearsiders sink to third bottom place and fans are demanding a home victory over Derby County this afternoon.

Reid stresses that there is no panic in the camp. But he wants better things from key players like strikers Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn and influential midfielder Don Hutchinson, who have struggled to acquire match fitness after early-season injuries.

He said: "They have come in and done great jobs for me when they haven't been right.

"Now they are right I am expecting them to come up with the goods.

"We need to go out and play and get a decent result - the players know that, I know that and the supporters know that."

After the 3-0 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford - the third consecutive away defeat - Reid knows how important it is for his team to halt the decline against a Derby side which has proved difficult to beat this season.

"We need to start again," admitted Reid. "This is a crucial game, but there are only five games gone and there is no need to panic."

As Sunderland fail to live up to the expectations of supporters Reid is under mounting pressure from the fans to lift a darkening cloud over the club, and he admits performances this season have been poor.

Reid said: "I feel concerned about results. You always have to get results as a football manager. I have been a football manager now for ten years except for an 18-month break, so I know what it's all about.

"I don't think I feel under pressure but it concerns me that we are not playing well."

He added: "At home I think we have put on a couple of decent performances against Arsenal and West Ham and that's what I am expecting against Derby County.

"I think we have a lot of good players here. This is a test for the squad and I think we've got enough quality to get a result.

"Without trying to make excuses we have had eight or nine injuries affecting first team players and it does disrupt you.

"But we haven't played well and we haven't been at full tilt. We can only put that right out on the pitch by playing well."

Sunderland have missed the expected goals output from ace striker Kevin Phillips, who was on target 30 times last season.

Reid has no worries that the England international, who has been building up his match fitness after injury, will soon be back on song.

He said: "One thing about Kevin Phillips, which is a tremendous asset, is that he is not a worrier.

"All strikers go through barren spells, even the best, and Kevin is going through a spell like that.

"But he has done brilliantly on the pitch for us and I know, and he knows, that he will come good for us."

Better news for Reid is that his Danish international goalkeeper, Thomas Sorensen, who was injured in the opening game of the season against Arsenal, is fit again and is expected to resume against Derby County.

But popular winger Nicky Summerbee, who was substituted in the midweek reserve victory at Newcastle, is still not properly match fit and will not be involved.

Estonian keeper Mart Poom has been working overtime this week in an attempt to plug the gaps in Derby's defence.

The likeable stopper has watched in disbelief as 12 goals have whistled past him already this season.

Along with newly-promoted Manchester City, the club's record ahead of the game at Sunderland is the worst in the Premiership.

Derby have taken their fans on a roller-coaster ride in the opening weeks of the season with goals flying in at both ends.

It has been fun to watch but Poom insists the situation is no laughing matter as the club go in search of their first win of the campaign.

Poom said: ''I could do with keeping a clean sheet and we've been working hard on that this week.

''That is always my ambition at the start of every game but we've not managed it so far.

''It will come sooner or later, I know that. At the moment it is a very frustrating time for everyone.

''We've been scoring goals but losing a lot as well. I know we've been using a new system but too many players have been making too many mistakes.

''Along with Manchester City we have the worst defensive record in the Premiership and that is something we have to put right.''

Sunderland carry a potent striking partnership in Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn but have yet to fire on all cylinders.

They haven't won since the opening day of the season when Arsenal were defeated at the Stadium of Light.

Poom said: ''We have to go there with confidence. Maybe we are playing them at the right time.

''But we all know how good their front two are. Phillips is one of the top strikers in the country and very dangerous.

''Quinn is the big target man, who creates lots of chances with his flick-ons. We have to win the second balls.''

Norwegian midfielder Lars Bohinen was quoted as saying on his website that Derby had been playing like a ''dumb and blind side''.

Manager Jim Smith said the player claimed his words had been taken out of context but added: ''I don't think he is that far wrong.''

Smith, however, could be boosted by the return of Argentinian defender Horacio Carbonari.

He is set for his first start of the season following a groin operation in the summer.

But wing-back Rory Delap is sidelined after suffering a recurrence of an Achilles injury in the 2-2 draw against Charlton.

Smith said: ''We know that if we can prevent Sunderland playing the way they want, the crowd can turn.

''I'm a little bit surprised at the way they have started but there is such a long way to go.

''This is such a difficult league and people are already jumping on the bandwagon.

''It was very sad what happened to Gianluca Vialli at Chelsea. But when you have high-profile players you run the risk of that happening.

''Mind you I can't see a similar situation occurring here. We couldn't afford egos at Derby.'