SUNDERLAND head coach Regis Le Bris might not think today's game is a derby but Michael Carrick knows exactly how much it means to Middlesbrough and their supporters. Carrick grew up in the North East so needed no educating on just how much football means to fans in this part of the world when he took charge of Boro two years ago.

What's also important for Le Bris is support for his strikers. Eliezer Mayenda is currently the first choice frontman for the Black Cats but when players such as Mundle are finding the net, it eases the pressure on the striker - not that Le Bris judges the teenager just on goals.