Sunderland midfielder Ricky Alvarez insists he's aware of the importance of their clash with Newcastle United.

The Argentine is on-loan from Inter Milan.

He told safc.com: "I have heard quite a lot about it from talking to my team-mates and the people around the club, so I understand that it is a very, very important game.

"Derby games are always the best games in the season, so I'm very happy to be able to be back fit and back playing so that I will be able to experience the atmosphere."