This report comes courtesy of the Sunderland Echo on www.sunderlandtoday.co.uk

GOALKEEPER Thomas Sorensen has his sights set on a double comeback for club and country.

The Sunderland star is hoping to be available for a first-team return when the Black Cats travel to Premiership high-fliers Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

And having been called into the Denmark squad (with Wanderer Per Frandsen) for their vital World Cup qualifying game against Iceland a week on Saturday, he will expect to be fit to keep his international jersey. The 25-year-old was injured at the end of last month while playing for his country against Northern Ireland. He received an elbow in the face when coming for a cross which badly broke his nose and saw him stetchered from the pitch.

The injury was thought to leave him with no chance of playing against Blackburn Rovers the following week and Peter Reid found himself looking for a loan keeper.

But Sorensen played the game against Rovers - Sunderland's last league win - making a crucial save as the Wearsiders protected the Niall Quinn goal which gave them victory.

The following week, though, the keeper accepted medical advice that he should give the injury proper time to heal and has not played since.

Since his absence, Sunderland have drawn two games and lost two games (including a Worthington Cup tie at Sheffield Wednesday), conceding eight goals in the process.

And manager Reid will be looking forward to the prospect of having his first-choice keeper back for the clash with old pal Sam Allardyce's Bolton.

Sorensen was on the bench for Saturday's draw against Charlton, although Reid admitted afterwards that he would not have been fit enough to take part had stand-in Jurgen Macho been injured.

But Sorensen's quality as a professional was emphasised by the manager after the match and it is that sort of ability which Denmark will hope to benefit from when they look for the one point against Iceland which will guarantee them qualification for the World Cup.

Reid said: "I couldn't have played him against Charlton, but I wanted him in the squad because he is such an influential presence to have around.

"I asked him if he would be part of the dressing room on Saturday because just having him around can give other players confidence in the squad."

Sorensen will undergo another fitness test this week and if he is fit to play against Bolton at the Reebok and comes through successfully, he will link up with the Denmark squad early next week.