Cagey Keane plays tough on transfers

ROY KEANE insists he is ready to “play hardball’ with clubs eager to lighten his load ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.

The Sunderland boss admits that chairman Niall Quinn and chief executive Peter Walker are pressing for a reduction in squad numbers at the Stadium of Light after an estimated £20m summer spending spree.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is believed to have been unsuccessful this week with a £1.5m bid for defender Danny Higginbotham, and Keane has another offer for a player lying on the table.