KEANE CALLS FOR CALM

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has urged supporters to "chill out and relax" and look forward to a strong season back in the top flight.

The Wearsiders have so far had a quiet summer in the transfer market as they prepare for life back in the Premier League following their Championship success.

Keane is actively seeking new players but despite so far only securing the services of defenders Greg Halford and Russell Anderson, he is confident of making an impact.

The former Manchester United midfielder said: "The fans, everyone, needs to just chill out and relax and let me do the job. That's what I'm paid very well to do.

"Everyone's getting worried about this and that but you can't look at what other clubs have got.

"We've got to look at what we've got and we've got a great foundation to go on and have a good season.

"We're under no illusions we have to strengthen but we have a good spirit among everyone at the club."

Keane suffered a further setback today when he had a bid rejected for Wigan full-back Leighton Baines but the signing of Southampton's Northern Ireland defender Chris Baird is thought to be imminent.

Preston striker David Nugent was also high on the club's wishlist but Keane pulled out of a potential deal last week due to the length of time it was taking to reach agreement.

Keane insists he is unperturbed and will bring in a number of new players soon, but he will not rush and risk disrupting the harmony in his squad.

The Irishman, who began pre-season training with his players yesterday, said: "I think we have been linked with 60, 65 players over the summer but that is the same for every manager.

"As long as the fans know we are trying to bring in the right players.

"It would be easy to spend £10-15million the next few days and grab a few headlines but that's not my job. I'm trying to bring the right players and more importantly the right characters to the club.

"We've got two players who've shown a great desire to come to Sunderland and I feel over the next week or two there will be another four or five.

"There are no guarantees. Not one player has turned Sunderland down. One or two deals have broken down but I'm more than confident I can get the right players in.

"If you're having a hard time the ones who've signed for the wrong reasons are the ones who go missing.

"We've got some very good players and a good spirit but obviously we need a stronger squad because the Premier League tests you.

"We are negotiating with a few clubs about different players. We've got a few fees agreed with a few clubs but until the players sign on the dotted line, you don't know.

"But I'm hopeful in the next week or so we'll have four or five players and that would do me then. I'd be more than happy with the squad I've got then going into the season."

Nugent, capped by England last season, is one of the Championship's most sought-after players and would have added much-needed firepower but Keane felt the time was right to look elsewhere.

Portsmouth are now the front-runners for the 22-year-old's signature.

Keane said: "I don't think it was a major saga. We agreed a fee with Preston at the end of the season and then David was away with the (England) Under-21s.

"I met with David after the tournament and enjoyed his company. We had a chat and I don't think it could have gone any better.

"But, not through David, the deal was maybe dragging its heels a little bit and I have to do what is best for the club. I felt we needed to go in a different direction.

"I wish him well, I think he's a very good player and he'll score goals but if anyone thinks we were hanging our hat on David Nugent and we don't have other players in mind, they're sadly mistaken."

Taken From =football365=