Quinn keen for New Year cheer

Chairman to back Keane in transfer market

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 30th December 2007

Quinn keen for New Year cheer

Quinn: Keane support

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Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn insists the club board will do all they can to help manager Roy Keane in the January transfer window.

Keane is expected to be handed a £20million transfer budget as he bids to bolster his squad for Premier League survival in the New Year.

Blackburn duo Robbie Savage and Jason Roberts are likely targets, while Manchester United defender Wes Brown is also thought to be on Keane's shopping list as he attempts to steer the Black Cats, who currently sit one point above the bottom three, away from trouble.

And Quinn says he is ready to support Keane as Sunderland bid to replicate this year's success in 2008.

Top flight

Twelve months ago, Sunderland completed their 2006 fixtures with a 1-0 home defeat to Preston which left them in 12th place in the Coca-Cola Championship.

But Keane's side then lost just one more league game as they surged to the title and reclaimed their place in the top flight.

Writing in his programme notes ahead of Saturday's win over Bolton, Quinn said: "As last year ended, we lost 1-0 at home to Preston and at that stage hadn't broken into the top 10 of the Championship.

"We have made giant leaps since then. Progress is always best judged over a period of time, and while in any given spell there will be setbacks, overall we remain headed in the right direction.

Spirit

"The transfer window is about to open and we will be doing all we can to help Roy strengthen his squad so that we can finish the season strongly again.

"The players we already have are giving it everything. Their spirit is there for all to see and they are becoming more street-wise as the acclimatise to the Premier League.

"With new additions hopefully joining them in January, we will look to kick on again."