Andy Reid says the club's more experienced players must use their top-level nous to help youngster Jordan Henderson - and has been quick to offer his help.

Winger Reid spoke after Henderson, 19, used a sparkling pre-season campaign to slot into Steve Bruce's first team, making 13 appearances so far.

A product of Sunderland's Academy, the Sunderland-born midfielder - loaned to Coventry last year - has primarily played out wide but has been moved inside into a more central position by Bruce.

Reid, 27, is closing in on 300 career appearances spread across stays with Nottingham Forest, Spurs, Charlton and Sunderland, racking up £11m in combined transfer fees along the way.

And he's pledged to use that experience to benefit the career of young Henderson, who recently signed a new long-term contract with the club.

The youngster is likely to start against Spurs this Saturday as a mainstay of the midfield with captain Lorik Cana suspended and England U21 skipper Lee Cattermole suffering from a knee injury.

Speaking exclusively to safc.com, Reid said: "Jordan's a good lad which is probably more important than the ability and work rate he has.

"He wants to learn, he wants to get better and it's up to the experienced players who've played more and been around to help him through.

"Jordan knows that he can come and speak to me, and if there's anything I feel I can do for him, I'll do it.

"But it's not really about what we can do for him, it's mainly about Jordan's desire to learn and to improve and at the moment that's second to none.

"He wants to get better, he wants to do well and that's showing in his performances on the pitch."

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