Reid set to play unsettled Hutchison

Peter Reid, the Sunderland manager, said yesterday he will have no qualms about throwing his unsettled midfielder Don Hutchison into tonight's Premiership match with Fulham. The 30-year-old Scottish international missed Saturday's victory over Ipswich through suspension, as speculation mounted over his future. Reid said he has received more than one offer for the player he bought from Everton for a bargain £2.5m. Rangers are favourites to land him, while West Ham were first to emerge as potential purchasers – but no one has yet presented a deal acceptable to the Wearsiders.

Reid, renowned for his tough stance with dissidents, said: "People have got this impression when I have disagreements that I bomb players out. The most important thing is to look at characters, and then it's not what's best for Peter Reid, it's what's best for Sunderland Football Club. If I think Don Hutchison can handle it, I won't have any qualms about picking him in my team.

"Every individual case you look at, and certain players can handle the situation. Don Hutchison, I think, can handle that situation. He's a very experienced player and a very good player."