Keane wants full throttle

Promotion hopefuls Sunderland are the only one of the Coca-Cola Championship top four in action today and manager Roy Keane has promised they will not take their “foot off the gas” against Barnsley.

The top two sides in the division, Derby and Birmingham, were in action last night, while West Brom must wait until tomorrow to face play-off chasing Wolves.

Keane’s side have been one of the division’s form sides in recent weeks, beating the Baggies last time out and Billy Davies’ Rams at the end of February.

Barnsley pose a different challenge and are still not clear of the relegation zone, but Keane does not expect his side to have it easy at Oakwell, where the hosts are still scrapping for every point.

“People expect us to win and credit to the players for that, they have built up a nice bit of respect,” he told the Black Cats’ official website, www.safc.com.

“We won’t underestimate Barnsley. We’ll prepare properly and we’ll be ready for a tough game but we know that, if we play well, we’ll have a good chance of winning.

“We won’t take our foot off the gas. If anything, it’s time to kick on and cement our place in the play-offs.

“We’ll have to roll out sleeves up, but we do that every day.”

Tykes defender Paul Heckingbottom, a former Sunderland player, has warned his team-mates to expect a big showing from the travelling support.

He told his club’s official website, www.barnsleyfc.co.uk: “When Sunderland are doing well, they are one of the biggest supported clubs anywhere and this is probably one of their nearest away matches this season.

“They will bring almost 8,000 supporters and they will be looking for a good day out. We have to be positive and get at them from the first whistle.

“Getting relegated is totally out of the question this season and I know that this team will stay up.”

Former leaders Preston face a similar challenge to Sunderland, as they bid to pick up a crucial three points against struggling Hull.

Phil Brown’s side, meanwhile, are hoping to put a 5-2 midweek home drubbing by Ipswich behind them and climb out of the bottom three.

Southampton and Stoke meet at the Britannia Stadium in a match between two sides harbouring hopes of a top-six finish.

Early-season pace-setters Cardiff host Norwich, with Dave Jones’ side trying to get back on track after defeat to Birmingham last time out, while Colchester welcome Iain Dowie’s Coventry.

The day’s other matches include Crystal Palace versus Leicester, Ipswich against Southend and QPR at home to Sheffield Wednesday.

Rock-bottom Leeds complete the schedule with their match against Luton at Elland Road.