Black Cats ready to pounce

Keane: Ready to talk

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Sunderland manager Roy Keane believes he is just a week away from landing his first new signings of the summer.

Keane is yet to add to his squad and faces the prospect of starting the season without injured striker Kenwyne Jones.

But the Black Cats boss is hopeful of a change in fortunes by the time Sunderland return from a training trip to Portugal.

"Sometimes you have to keep going and keep going and we are certainly doing that," said Keane.

"I am pretty sure that this time next week we will have plenty of new faces at the club."

Keane is yet to speak with any prospective targets as chairman Niall Quinn and chief executive Peter Walker attempt to thrash out deals.

And he is itching to use his persuasive powers to strengthen a squad that struggled against relegation last season.

Chance

"That's all I ask for. I always say to Niall and Peter 'just give me a chance to speak to the player' and if we can make a deal happen well and good," Keane said.

One player who will not be arriving at the Stadium of Light is Steaua Bucharest defender Dorin Goian with Sunderland pulling out of a potential deal.

Meanwhile, Keane is still waiting to see how long he will be without Jones, who sustained ligament damage while playing for Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly against England last month.

He added: "I don't want to be second-guessing when Kenwyne is going to be back but, as with any player, you want to avoid surgery at all costs and that's what we are hoping for.

"We have got two or three weeks to play with yet, but it would certainly rule him out for the first month or two, whatever happens."