SUNDERLAND have been boosted by the return to full fitness of defensive duo Emerson Thome and Joachim Bjorklund.

But former boss Peter Reid, fired earlier this month after seven years in charge at the Stadium of Light, believes that it is the return to full fitness of Kevin Phillips that is the major worry for Wanderers before the televised bottom-of-the-table match between the two on Monday.

Phillips has scored 123 goals in 205 Sunderland appearances since he joined the club from Watford in 1997, and was top scorer in the Premiership three seasons ago.

But unfortunately for Wanderers' back-line - who have only kept one clean sheet this season - Phillips is not the only threat as £12 million duo Tore Andre Flo and Marcus Stewart also have the quality to create problems.

"Phillips is a class player and is missed whenever he is out of the Sunderland side," says Reid. "He is probably the best striker I've ever worked with as a manager.

"He seems to be recovered from his problems now and will be looking to get back among the goals and there is no time like the present.

"He is the real threat.

"I'm not sure who Howard Wilkinson will choose to play in attack but Flo and Stewart are also pedigree forwards and everyone has seen what skills they possess, Stewart scored a sack-load during Ipswich's first season in the Premiership and he has not lost his instincts.

"But they have strength in depth because Matt Piper and David Bellion are two very young attacking players that can do damage. They are very quick and very hungry.

"With all that quality you might wonder why they have struggled so much this season but that has been down to a lack of confidence which sometimes happens at football clubs.

"There have been few games that they have played really badly in, and when I was in charge we beat Leeds away from home and drew with Manchester United."

Despite his backing of Sunderland's forwards, Reid - who played 262 games for Bolton between 1974 and 1982 and still lives in the area - also believes that Wanderers have enough to win the game themselves.

He adds: "Both teams have bags of quality, and I would imagine it has been a confidence problem with Bolton as well.

"I saw Youri Djorkaeff earlier this season against Aston Villa and he was absolutely outstanding, he has the talents to turn any game.

"I have also been very impressed by Kevin Nolan, who is a fellow Scouser and many people have compared him to myself as a player, but he is a much better goalscorer."

Despite coming so early in the season, Reid believes that people should not underestimate the importance of the clash.

"This is massive for both clubs," he says. "No one is relegated in October but you have to start getting points on the board.

"There are a lot of teams faltering in the bottom half at the moment and a couple of results can really shoot you up the table - just look at what West Ham have done in the past few games.

"I'm looking forward to the game but both clubs have a massive place in my heart.

"I can't pick a winner at the moment - I'm sitting on a very big fence.

"I will be going to the Reebok as a guest of Sam Allardyce, I'm not sure if he's expecting all the information on Sunderland off me."