Keane lambastes game's mercenaries

Roy Keane has blasted the footballers he believes love money more than the game.

The Sunderland boss, who signed just one player – Tottenham goalkeeper Marton Fulop – ahead of yesterday’s deadline for loan deals, believes many players’ priorities are wrong.

Keane said: “A lot of footballers these days, the first question they ask is: ‘What kind of money am I going to be getting?’

“I find that amazing. That is my point, putting money in front of playing games, winning trophies.

“I would not begrudge any player a few bob. It is a short career and you have got to make it while you can but don’t get sidetracked by putting money before playing games.”

Keane is hoping his current crop can avoid a different distraction tonight when they travel to Molineux to face Wolves in the Coca-Cola Championship.

The game sees the former Ireland captain go head to head with Mick McCarthy for the first time since their infamous pre-2002 World Cup finals bust-up in Saipan.

Keane, now 35, and former boss McCarthy claim they have settled their differences, which saw the then Manchester United skipper sent home from the Republic squad.

Both have said they will gladly shake hands tonight, a move which will do little to quell the interest in an eagerly-anticipated reunion.

Keane admitted: “We cannot do anything about that. The media have got their jobs to do. They have got to sell newspapers and create headlines.

“But, from watching the players this week, there is no other reason why they should not be focused on the game. They have trained well on the back of a decent result last week. We have got some decent lads in the squad and they will just be focussing on the game, and rightly so.”

McCarthy promised his opposite number a warm welcome tonight, insisting their handshake will be no publicity stunt.

“It will be a genuine gesture and not something for the TV cameras,” McCarthy said.

“I will also ask Roy into my office for a drink afterwards. I know he doesn’t drink alcohol but I’ll pour him a lemonade or a cola or a coffee or whatever he wants.

“The content of our telephone call will remain private between Roy and myself but I am relieved the situation has been resolved because it seemed everyone was getting something out of it except myself and Roy.”

Wolves will once again be without Carl Cort, with the striker facing three months on the sidelines after knee cartilage surgery.

Wolves physio Barry Holmes said: “Corty has battled on with this problem for a number of months now but it has got to the stage where he has played games in quick succession and his knee is not settling.”

Rob Edwards should have recovered in time from a dead leg, while Jamie Clapham is back from a groin injury to fill in Charlie Mulgrew (ankle) at left-back.