Andy Reid was happy to be back for Sunderland in their defeat to Portsmouth on Saturday.

"It was nice to get back there and show people what I can do," said the Republic of Ireland international, who has seen question marks over fitness threaten his place for both club and country.

"You go through tough times in football and over the last couple of weeks it's been a tough time for me. But I'm a strong enough person to deal with it and a good enough footballer.

"It should be difficult for anybody to keep their place in the team. If it's not difficult for them when the team sheet goes up and their name's not on it they shouldn't really be professional footballers.

"It's about dealing with it in the right way, keeping positive around the place and believing that your chance will come."