FIERY Blackburn boss Graeme Souness today said Sunderland's Stadium of Light holds no fears for his Premiership braves as they go in search of their first away win of the new season in the North East tomorrow.

The famous Roker Roar may now be a thing of the past but Sunderland's new state-of-the-art home is widely regarded as one of the most intimidating venues in the country.

Souness, however, is confident his troops can rise to the challenge and silence the home contingent in a capacity 48,000 crowd.

"They play football in an aggressive way, they're not the most skilful of teams but they'll certainly come after us and we've got to be ready to meet that challenge," said Souness.

"But that doesn't worry me in the slightest because this squad has proved that it can handle playing in the big games at the big stadiums.

"I actually believe the Premier League will suit us because we've got players who relish playing on the big stage.

"And stages don't come much bigger than the Stadium of Light when it's full to capacity.

"It's sure to be an intimidating atmosphere but we've got the characters to cope with anything they throw at us."

With two tough away games coming up, Souness knows it's vital Rovers return from the North East with something to show for their efforts.

But their hopes of chalking up a second successive Premiership victory could well hinge on how their ability to keep tabs on Premiership hot-shot Kevin Phillips.

"I think Phillips is a wonderful player and a wonderful goalscorer," said Souness.

"He's got great movement and he's a proven scorer at the highest level so he's, obviously, going to be a real threat.

"But I'm confident we have the personel to be able to cope with that."

With Craig Short set to miss the game through suspension, Martin 'Tiny' Taylor looks likely to be pressed into central defensive duties alongside Henning Berg.

But Souness must also decide on whether or not to give Turkish midfielder Tugay a Premiership baptism of fire.

The former Rangers man is now fit again after shaking off a thigh strain but may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Rovers are likely to choose from: Friedel, Curtis, Bjornebye, Berg, Taylor, Flitcroft, Mahon, Gillespie, Duff, Jansen, Grabbi, Blake, Hignett, Hughes, Tugay, Filan, Kelly.

Meawhile, Sunderland boss Peter Reid has goalkeeping problems ahead of the clash.

Regular stopper Thomas Sorensen is struggling to be fit after breaking his nose in a clash with Preston's Colin Murdock while on international duty last week.

And reserve team keeper Jurgen Macho has also suffered a recurrence of a thigh strain.

Reid tried to sign former French international Bernard Lama on loan yesterday as cover but the move fell through at the last minute with the 38-year-old unhappy with the terms on offer.

So if Sorensen doesn't make it, then Northern Ireland Under 21 international Michael Ingham could be in line for his Sunderland debut.

Sunderland from: Sorensen, Gray, Craddock, Varja, Schwartz, McCartney, Haas, Kilbane, McCann, Schwartz, Rae, Phillips, Quinn, Laslandes, Arca, Bellion, Williams, Macho, Ingham.