Evans learns the Keane way

JONNY EVANS wants to crown his “breakthrough season” with promotion to the Premiership and a loan extension at Roy Keane’s Sunderland.

The 19-year-old Northern Ireland centre-back made his international debut this season before joining the Black Cats on loan from Man Utd.

Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson has high hopes for Belfast boy Evans after handing him a new four-year contract and offering the prospect of a first-team future.

Evans would love to force his way into the United side, but is realistic enough to know he would see more action in another season under Keane’s wing.

He said: “This has been my breakthrough season. Right from the start I’ve played internationals and coming to Sunderland has projected things even further. It’s nice to be chasing something at the end of the season and going for promotion.

“My aim was to go out on loan to a Championship club to get the experience. I knew I was going to Antwerp but I wanted to play my way out of there and the internationals were a big help with that.

“I’ve said before that I would definitely consider coming back to Sunderland next season, but I don’t know what United have planned for me.

“I haven’t really been in contact with them from day one because I’ve been so focused on doing a job for Sunderland and getting them promoted.

“I’ve enjoyed it so much that I would definitely think of staying here next season if they wanted me and if United would let me. I would rather be playing every week than be on the bench at Old Trafford.

“Being realistic, when you look at the established players there, as a 19-year-old central defender you’re never really going to keep people out of the team every week.

“It’s going to be every so often that you are going to get games, but I have faith in my ability and it would be nice to go back there and have a go.

“I signed a new deal for four years. Sir Alex Ferguson said before I came here that he wanted me back at the end of the season and to be involved in the squad next year, so I take it that’s still the way it is.

“But you don’t know how things are going to change, what players are going to be bought or sold. Things are never guaranteed. When you go back to Northern Ireland everyone is talking about Sunderland and how well it’s going for me there. It’s nice to have people sit up and take notice.”

Keane, who also took right-back Danny Simpson from United, said: “Jonny has done very well. It’s not easy coming to the Championship because you’re up against a lot of experienced centre-forwards and it’s a tough league to learn your trade.

“He’s doing as well as I hoped he would. He’s got a great chance of being a top player.

“He has a good family, good background and he’s settled in really well in the dressing room along with Danny Simpson. They’re good lads.

“I don’t speak to Alex on a regular basis but I spoke to him a few weeks ago about Jonny and Danny. We make sure United get copies of the games so the club are kept up to date with what’s going on with the players, don’t worry.

“We’ve got them on loan until the end of the season. You’re always hoping there’s the chance of another loan deal but I’ve not spoken to United about that because the manager has enough on his plate.”

Evans reckons good old-fashioned fear and respect is the key to Keane’s success on Wearside as the former Republic of Ireland captain plots course for the Premiership.

He said: “I didn’t really know him that well at United. I just saw him a few times in the gym. He’d say ‘hi’ on the way by and I trained with him a few times.

“I’ve been really impressed by him as a manager. A lot of the lads have been really impressed with the way he puts things across.

“He had an aura about him when he was United captain. He had the same sort of effect Alex Ferguson had around the club. When he walked down the corridor, everyone became quieter.

“I think that comes across here as well. I believe to be a success as a manager you have to have that fear factor.

“It’s nice to see the manager have good relationships with the players but managers don’t have to be your best mates.

“There’s only once or twice I’ve seen him get really annoyed. But even if he didn’t lose it, there would still be that fear factor because you’ve seen with the players he’s let go since he came here that he still has that ruthless streak.

“People get the impression with Roy Keane that he would be ranting and raving and shouting at people down their throats, but he’s been very calm and collected and I think that’s come across in the way we play as well.”