Loving every minute

The Republic of Ireland international, who was recently linked with a £6 million move to Manchester United, grabbed the winner as Rovers secured another vital victory at the Stadium of Light.

Reid has now scored three times for Rovers this season and he hopes he has a couple more left in his locker for the run-in as Mark Hughes' side close in on a top four finish.

Rovers' midfield enforcer, who is hoping to sign a new deal shortly, said: "I'm playing the best football of my time with Rovers and loving every minute.

"The coaches have been brilliant for me - they've given me a load of confidence and I'd like it to continue as long as possible.

"The first year and a half was a bit sticky for me - things weren't going as well as they should have done, but I feel the last year has gone really well.

"In the last few months I've been right on top of my game, I feel full of confidence and, hopefully, that's showing on the pitch.

"There's nothing been said about the contract yet but, hopefully, I can carry on playing like that and that will be all the talking I need to do."

After a shaky start, Reid eased Rovers' nerves when he raced from the centre circle to smash a brilliant finish past Sunderland keeper Kelvin Davis in the 15th minute.

The former Millwall star revealed it was a move the players had worked on in training prior to the game.

"We'd been working on that in training all week - driving forward with the ball," said Reid.

"The strikers made great runs either side and it opened up for me.

"I put my foot behind it and, obviously, I was delighted to see it go in.

"It's my third of the season and I need to get on the scoresheet more often.

"With Tugay playing in the holding role, that allows me to get forward more.

"I would have liked another one, but I'll settle for that."

As for the overall performance, the former Millwall man said: "It was one of those banana skins - everyone was expecting us to come here and win but we knew they'd be aggressive and difficult to beat and that's how it proved.

"Based on the second half performance, we were probably quite lucky to get all three points.

"We're delighted with the win but not so happy with the performance the most important thing is to get the victories now.

"We'll take seven more performances like that if it means seven wins until the end of the season."

In the meantime, Reid said he was flattered' by the speculation linking him with United, but his main priority is to secure a new deal with Blackburn (his present one runs out at the end of next season).

He added:"It came as a surprise to read that about United - it was the first I'd heard of it but you've got to be flattered by it. It means you're doing something right.

"Even if there's no truth behind it, it's nice to hear that sort of thing.

"But I'm happy where I am and I'm just delighted to be playing at Blackburn.

"We're flying at the minute and I want to be a part of it for a long time in the future."

Craig Bellamy felt a slight twinge in his back and was taken off as a precaution on Saturday, while Florent Sinama-Pongolle didn't feature at all because of an illness.