More Geordies Than Mackems On The Pitch

Taylor, Alan Shearer and Robbie Elliott all seem certain to play, while Lee Clark and Shola Ameobi will be on the bench. Sunderland only have one local lad - Tommy Miller.

Steve Taylor: "It's good for the gaffer to be able to call upon so many Geordie boys, so much local talent, and we're all desperate to play against Sunderland, this is the big one for us," said Taylor, born in Greenwich but raised on Tyneside, on the eve of his long-awaited derby debut. We had five Geordie lads in our side at Portsmouth a couple of weeks ago and it was unbelievable. To have that again against Sunderland would be even more special.

"This game means the world to me just as it does all the local lads. These are the games anyone from this area wants to play in, derbies against Sunderland in front of 52,000 at St James's Park. There are not many better occasions in football and the feeling will be something I will never forget.

"It would be great to see a team full of Geordies line up against Sunderland and it could help. It's unbelievable to see, and it's great to be a part of it. It means a lot to us all."