Keane not content with survival

Roy Keane has warned the Barclays Premiership's big boys that Sunderland are heading back up determined to make a splash, rather than just survive.

A year ago, the Black Cats plummeted out of the top flight with a record low 15 points and having won just three games, only one of them at the Stadium of Light.

However, having secured their return without kicking a ball when Derby lost at Crystal Palace yesterday, Keane, armed with a multi-million pound transfer kitty, is looking to make a major impact.

Wearside was buzzing today as fans who were left in the depths of despair at the end of last season recalled memories of the club's seventh-place finish at the first attempt back in 1999-2000, and Keane is happy to take that level of expectation on board.

He said: 'I do not mind that. I would rather the fans had high expectations than low expectations, I have to say. That is great for them.

'We are going to the Premiership and you will not be hearing us saying 'if we finish fourth from bottom, it will be a good season'. Far from it.

'We are looking to go up there and make our mark. I believe we can do.

'Obviously, I will need to strengthen the squad and we will have a chance over the next few weeks to sit down with (chairman) Niall (Quinn) and (chief executive) Peter Walker and we will look at what is available.

'The hard work starts now - it started last night. There is no time to relax.'

Keane learned of his side's promotion by a text message while he was out walking his dog Triggs, and celebrated with a mug of green tea.

However, while delighted at the turnaround he has inspired on Wearside in the last eight months, he is reluctant to take much of the credit.

He said: 'It is a nice start and we just hope there are good things to come. But I have been saying it for the last few months, I have done very, very little and people need to remember that.

'The players, the fans, Niall and the board and I have a big staff around me, they have done a fantastic job.

'I am quite happy for all of them to get the credit because, ultimately, it is the players who have got to go out and do the business, and I cannot praise them enough. They have been fantastic.