Keane gunning for striker Stokes

ROY KEANE is set to try to prise Anthony Stokes away from Arsenal when the transfer window re-opens next month.

Sunderland boss Keane yesterday confirmed that he was interested in the Irish goalscoring talent.

But he admitted his hopes of landing Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi on loan were on hold.

Striker Stokes, 18, has been a sensation while on loan with Falkirk, and Celtic are among a posse of clubs chasing him.

Ex-Celt Keane said: “I think he’s a very good player and he’s one we’re looking at, I have to say.

“The lad has done very well. I’ve seen him a couple of times myself in the last month against Celtic and Hearts, two of the better teams in Scotland, and he was a threat.

“He’s a goalscorer, he makes good runs and is very direct. He’s a really good talent and he’s a young, hungry player.

“I might step up my interest. We’re looking to bring players in next month. We’re not in a position where we can say we can wait until next summer. I think we need one or two players now.

“We’re down to the bare bones. We’ve had only 13 or 14 players training this week because of injuries and a few lads have been off sick.

“We definitely need strengthening and I have a few in mind. Whether we get them is another thing. We’re working on getting people in and there are a few lined up — we hope.”

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn this week stressed again that transfer funds were available to Keane.

Former Arsenal striker Quinn had Dubliner Stokes on trial at Sunderland while he was acting manager before Keane’s arrival in August. But Keane said: “I don’t think it will make much difference that it’s Arsenal. They will still be looking for top money.

“Friendship doesn’t work in these situations, I’ll tell you. I’ve tried it. Do you not think I’ve rung Manchester United a few times!”

That was a broad hint that Keane had failed to persuade former boss Alex Ferguson to part with 19-year-old Rossi, who will return to Old Trafford at the turn of the year after his loan spell at Newcastle.

But Keane clearly sees Rossi as a possible future target. He said: “Rossi won’t be coming here — not in January.”

Keane believes some clubs will hike the asking price for players in an attempt to exploit the backing of Quinn’s Drumaville consortium.

“People think we have money to spend,” said Keane.

“There was an instance last month where we thought we had a player, then the money got a bit silly. I’m quite happy to walk away from that.

“Even if Niall told me tomorrow I had £50 million (€73.9m) to spend, that wouldn’t mean I start throwing it around willy-nilly.

“I’ve heard managers saying, ‘Sunderland, they’ll have money to spend,’ but there’s not that much to spend.”

Keane’s side go into today’s home game with Luton on a five-match unbeaten run which has left them only as many points off a Championship play-off place.

Luton boss Mike Newell has been charged by the FA over his comments about women assistant referees in the Championship.

But Keane has some sympathy for Newell.

He said: “Mike Newell comes across well as a manager and I think he has to be entitled to his opinion, whatever that might be.”