GIVEN that there are so many foreigners involved in today's game, derby day fixtures can sometimes fail to live up to their billing.

But in Tommy Miller, Sunderland have their own local hero in the making and no questions can be raised about whether or not he knows what tomorrow means to the supporters.

Brought up in the colliery village of Shotton, a short drive from the city, Miller is the Black Cats' only player in the starting line-up to originate from the North-East.

He was just six-weeks-old when Gary Rowell grabbed his memorable hat-trick in a 4-1 win at St James' Park in February 1979, when Sunderland returned to Wearside with a historic victory.

Rowell has since gone down in Sunderland folklore for his heroics and asked whether Miller would like to repeat the feat he said: "I was told that story when I was younger. He did get mentioned a few times by my father (Tommy Miller Snr) and has since been mentioned a few more times by my Sunderland mad father-in-law.

"It would be great just to even score, never mind a hat-trick."

Miller was at Roker Park in 1990 for the old Division Two play-off fixture between the two old foes and recalls one particular volatile exchange between Paul Hardyman and John Burridge.

Sunderland defender Hardyman, after having a penalty saved by the Newcastle goalkeeper, charged over and kicked Burridge in the stomach while he lay on the floor clutching the ball.

That sparked a massive onfield brawl, an angry situation which set the tone for the return fixture when hundreds of Newcastle supporters invaded the pitch when Sunderland were two goals up with minutes to play.

And Miller said: "I'm really looking forward to it, I know exactly what it means to everyone around this place. I went to a couple of the games when I was younger.

"The one that sticks in my mind the most was the one when Hardyman kicked Burridge and all hell broke loose. I didn't go to St James' for the return leg, my dad said not to go because it would be too dangerous!

"But it's a massive, very passionate and intense occasion. A very big game for everyone concerned.

"I have told a few of the other players what it will be like but I haven't really needed to. People have been stopping them in the streets. I don't want to say it's a matter of life or death because it's an old clich but it's not too far off."

A sign of the ill-tempered atmosphere the fixture will be played in is highlighted by the way Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has had his squad warming up for the occasion with boxing training.

If the Black Cats were to lose this weekend then McCarthy's position would not be brought into question, but the same cannot be said of his opposite number.

Graeme Souness has endured a difficult time since taking over 13 months ago and has been unable to field his strongest side so far this season, as a series of injuries have take their toll.

However, a crushing defeat to Newcastle's neighbours would increase the chances of the Scot losing his job - just as Ruud Gullit did in 1999 when Peter Reid's men won 2-1 on Tyneside.

The following year Steve Caldwell, wearing black and white, was outjumped by Niall Quinn in another tempestuous derby when Sunderland won for the second successive year by the same scoreline.

Miller remembers them both. "People say that Souness will go if they lose but I don't think it will cost him his job," he said. "If we do get a result then it would be harsh on him. They are having a rocky time of it but that would be too far.

"They have not had the best of starts and have a few injuries but on their day they are very good team. They shouldn't be underestimated at all. Emre is a very good player and I've always been impressed with him."

It was only four-and-a-half years ago when Miller was part of another North-East derby in the shape of Hartlepool versus Darlington. A volatile fixture in its own right.

Since then he has played in East Anglian derbies for Ipswich against Norwich but is expecting this one to be a little different.

"When I left Hartlepool for Ipswich it seemed a million miles away - and it was to be fair - from home. I managed to get back up here and it's great," said Miller.

"I once played at St James' for Ipswich and I got dragged off at half-time. Alan Shearer got a hat-trick that night, hopefully he won't again."

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