Hunt: the Maradona of the Madejski

ROY Keane does not believe he is immune from the sacking virus that has swept through the Premier League but has not yet reached the north-east. After all, it happened to Brian Clough, the first great manager to give him a platform.

But it is that other iconic figure that now looms the largest in his thoughts following the 2-1 defeat at Reading. The St Stephen’s Day visit of Alex Ferguson and his Manchester United side will kick off with Sunderland in one of the relegation places.

Given that Keane has spent heavily since capping his first managerial season with promotion — his goalkeeper cost €13.5million alone — it is not inconceivable that such generous backers might follow the examples already set by the boards of Bolton, Derby, Wigan and most recently Fulham in a season where seven top-flight clubs have so far changed horses in mid-stream.