Niall Quinn, the Sunderland chairman, says he has no problem with Mike Ashley, the owner of Newcastle United, wearing a his side's shirt during Saturday's derby at the Stadium of Light.

Ashley has made his Newcastle replica top something of a personal trademark this season, having worn it to every game he has attended.

There have been concerns that it would provoke Sunderland fans on Saturday, given the clubs' rivalry, but Quinn is happy for him to wear it. "I certainly wouldn't have a problem with it, but I don't know what the police would say," Quinn said. "The man supports his team, and that's great. When you see enthusiasm like that, that's fine."

Quinn sees the derby as Sunderland's opportunity to kick-start their season after a run of disappointing results. "Roy Keane and Sam Allardyce are two of the game's most phenomenal characters," he said of the clubs' managers.

"That in itself is a great story leading into the game, but then when you look at the fact that Sunderland have been down in the dumps and it's a chance for us to restore our pride and kick on up the league.

"Most people will be saying it's only a game, and rightly so, but there's something very special about it. It's another test for us to see whether we belong in the Premier League."

Steve Gibson, chairman of Middlesbrough, another of Newcastle's North East rivals, gave permission for Ashley to wear his shirt at the Riverside Stadium in August.