‘Miracle’ as Keane unchanged for third game on trot

ROY KEANE could perform another “miracle” tomorrow — by naming the same team for the third successive game.

Keane marks 50 games as Sunderland manager with a Premier League trip to derby rivals Middlesbrough having sent out the same XI in successive games for the first time against Reading last weekend.

Having seen his men secure a vital 2-1 victory, he admits he will not make changes for changes’ sake on Teesside.

Keane said: “Do I look to change a winning team for Saturday? We will see how the lads react.

“There might be a chance that we have a miracle and pick the same team three games in a row. That would be unbelievable, wouldn’t it?”

Keane’s reign has been characterised by an ever-changing line-up, although if that was a result of necessity in the early days, it is something which has been forced upon him since.

Keane said: “People think that when I came into the job, my plan was to chop and change it every week, but it wasn’t. It was just that when I got the job, there was a big squad, I had to throw in players to see what they were about.

“I was looking to play a more settled side this year, but that’s been taken out of my hands with the injuries we have had. No-one could have predicted them.

“It helps having a settled team. If you asked any player — certainly the back four and the goalkeeper — they would want a settled team.”

That said, Keane could have a bigger squad at his disposal for the trip to the Riverside Stadium after Andy Cole and defender Russell Anderson shook off calf injuries and Ian Harte played 90 minutes for the reserves in their 3-1 defeat by Manchester City.

* ANDY COLE believes Roy Keane has created a “mini-Man Utd” at Sunderland.

The striker, 36 next month, said: “If I’m completely honest, there have been few surprises for me since I came here.

“Roy is just as motivated now as he was when he was a player to get the job done right. He has transformed into the manager I would have expected him to be from the days I knew him as a player.

“It’s all very thorough and very professional, and you can see that from the moment you walk into the place. It’s a mini-Man United really.”