Keane: Stoke will still sign Delap

Roy Keane claims Stoke will honour their commitment to sign double leg-break victim Rory Delap on a permanent basis from Sunderland in January.

The utility player joined the Potters on loan last week and helped them beat Leeds 4-0 at Elland Road last weekend, before suffering fractures to his tibia and fibula early in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over the Black Cats.

Delap, 30, is expected to be out of action for around six months as a result of the injury and it inevitably threw his continued stay at the Britannia Stadium into doubt.

However, Sunderland manager Keane has confirmed that City boss Tony Pulis has reaffirmed his intent to strike a deal for the former Derby and Southampton player when the transfer window re-opens in January.

“We had a gentleman’s agreement with Stoke that Rory would go on loan with a permanent deal in place (for January), and Stoke have been true to their word,” Keane told the club’s official website, www.safc.com.

“Rory will do his rehab work there. He is still on loan there and he will become a full-time Stoke player.”

Stoke have been unwilling to verify Keane’s claim, but a statement is expected to be released later today confirming their desire to retain Delap’s services.