Sunderland AFC news: Peter Reid on the 'grandmother' of all Tyne-Wear derbies, Allardyce tips Brown for Bolton

And former Black Cats manager Peter Reid has upped the ante a bit more - labelling the Tyne-Wear derby as the "grandmother of all derbies".

With top flight survival and £100million potentially at stake, Reid believes this derby is one of THE most important there has ever been.

"I can't put it into words how big it is," he said.

"I know Sunderland have won six on the trot and that’s a great record, but you would give anything to win this one.

"If Jurgen Klopp thinks Liverpool and Manchester United is the mother of all games, he hasn’t seen this one at St James’s Park because that’s the grandmother of all games - it's a massive one.

"I think the one who is successful in this game could retain their Premier League status, it is that big," Reid told the club's website.

Reid famously led Sunderland to two memorable victories at St James’s Park.

For the very latest Tyne-Wear derby news click here:Meanwhile, Jermain Defoe believes there is more pressure on Newcastle’s shoulders in this weekend’s Tyne-Wear derby showdown, despite the desperate need of both North East clubs for precious points in the relegation battle.

Defoe told the Echo: "Both teams are desperate for points, so it’s going to be a special day.

"If we come away with three points, I think we’ll kick on and be fine.

"I think they're the ones under pressure, to be honest.

"They're at home and yes, the stadium is going to be electric.

"Their players will want to prove they deserve to be in the team under a new manager and they’ll be up for it."

Click here for Jermain Defoe's full in-depth interview with the Sunderland Echo:And finally, Sam Allardyce has tipped Southend United manager Phil Brown for the vacant manager's job at Bolton Wanderers.

Neil Lennon has been sacked as manager and ex-Wanderers boss Allardyce believes South Shields-born Brown - his former assistant manager at Bolton - could be the perfect fit to replace him.

"I can certainly see Phil Brown as an option — he is a man who loves Bolton as much as I do," said Allardyce.

"He has been successful at Southend so whether Wanderers can entice him away is another issue.

"But I think Phil would be a good fit with the club and with Deano — I think they would work well together."

Allardyce also moved to distance himself from any return to Bolton under the new regime.

He added: "I have got big commitments and all of my focus is on trying to make sure that Sunderland stay in the Premier League," Allardyce told the Bolton News.

For the very latest Tyne-Wear derby news click here: