Soccer: Reid set to call up his young guns

Peter Reid is set to involve three of Sunderland's most promising youngsters in the game at Leicester.

Ben Clark, George McCartney and Thomas Butler have been added to a depleted squad.

Kevin Phillips, Michael Gray, Don Hutchison and Alex Rae are suspended and Stanislav Varga is injured.

Reid believes England Under-17 defender Clark and Northern Ireland Under-18 international McCartney have the ability and confidence to handle the pressures and demands of the Premiership.

Reid said: "I am a great believer in young players coming through.

"When we beat Newcastle United reserves in midweek we had nine in the starting line-up who have come through the ranks and out of that I wanted to see how Ben Clark handled it.

"I think both Clark and George McCartney will be Premiership players and I have got no qualms in bringing them in because the only place to learn is on the football pitch.

"McCartney was fantastic when he came on as a substitute in last week's FA Cup tie with West Ham and while I don't like putting pressure on young players, I think they can handle it.

"When you've got young players coming through, you look at their personalities as well and that's one of the reasons why I've got young players like Michael Reddy and Kevin Kyle out on loan.

"Not only does it enhance their football education, it brings out their personality as well and I think they grow up quickly."