Keane spoilt for choice in attacking options

SUNDERLAND boss Roy Keane admitted he is rapidly approaching the point where he will have to disappoint one of his multi-million pound strikers.

Injuries and suspensions so far this season have spared the manager from having to make major decisions over which of his expensively-assembled group of frontman he will have to tell their services are not required on any given matchday.

However, with Kenwyne Jones having resumed light training following his knee injury and Michael Chopra now back in harness after serving a three-match ban, summer arrivals Djibril Cisse and El-Hadji Diouf face even more competition for their places.

Jones, who Keane valued at around £40million (€51m) last season, is still several weeks away from returning to senior action, while Chopra is short of match fitness ahead of today’s derby clash with Middlesbrough.

But their manager knows it will not be long before he has a big selection headache – and he cannot wait.

Keane said: “I will have Kenwyne, Michael is now available as well, so it is going to be an interesting few weeks trying to keep people happy.

“But that’s part of the job. But I have got really good options, I have to say, with Kenwyne hopefully available in three or four weeks, we will be delighted.”

Jones, last season’s leading scorer after his £6million (€7.6m) move from Southampton, damaged knee ligaments in a collision with goalkeeper David James during Trinidad and Tobago’s post-season friendly with England. Keane is not putting a definite timescale on his return, although the player is targeting the trip to Fulham on October 18.

Chopra, however, will be in the frame much sooner – although perhaps not for today’s game – after completing his suspension and spending a week in the Sporting Chance Clinic dealing with his well-documented off-the-field problems. Keane was quick to support his player, having seen his spark return.

He added: “People have to remember that footballers are human beings and they are going to have issues to deal with on and off the pitch.

“Michael has had one or two issues, which has been well publicised, but he looks back to his old self, and it’s great to see. Forget about football, it good to see him back to his old self.

“He has always had that edge to him as a player and in the dressing room, and he just lost that for a while.”