Keane happy with new-look squad

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has confirmed the completion of the transformation of his squad after a busy transfer season.



Since
taking over as manager at the Stadium of Light, the former Manchester
United midfielder has invested in excess of US$125 million (£70m) on
new players in the two years.

A total of 40 new players have donned the Sunderland colours since then.

That
has meant a huge turnover as several members of the squad, including
many of his singings, have headed back through the exit door.

However,
having established the club back in the Premier League, Keane believes
the groundwork was completed when George McCartney made his deadline
day move back to Wearside from West Ham United.

He said: "I
think we have done all our major wheeling and dealing. I have to say,
there comes a point, and I think that point was when we did the deal
for George (McCartney) and we said: 'Enough's enough'.

"You are
always looking to improve your squad, don't get me wrong, but we are
hoping every other transfer window now it will be one, two, a maximum
of three players, you would try to bring to your football club, unless
you got a spate of injuries.

"There are obviously loan deals you
can look at - we have got one at the minute with Djibril Cisse. But the
major reconstruction is done, I have to say."

Keane now has what
he believes is the strongest squad he has had at his disposal, although
with so many newcomers - McCartney and Cisse were joined by Pascal
Chimbonda, Teemu Tainio, El-Hadji Diouf, Steed Malbranque, David Healy,
Anton Ferdinand and Nick Colgan this summer - they will take time to
gel as a unit.

And he joked that the club's recruitment policy
must have played a part in chief executive Peter Walker's decision to
stand down towards the end of the year as he plans to take up a similar
position with Omega PLC.

Keane said: "I have to say, I am delighted with the group of players I have got.

"We
went to Wigan and I left three or four really good players behind, so
that's good from my point of view. I am as impatient as anybody, but it
will take a bit of time for these players to gel together.

"We
have brought, fortunately or unfortunately, so many players to the
football club. That's why you get our chief executive resigning!

"There are lots of deals going on and enough's enough."

Keane
has hinted that he may allow some of his fringe players to go out on
loan with winger Carlos Edwards having been linked with a short-term
move to Sheffield Wednesday.

Meanwhile, striker Michael Chopra,
a US$9million acquisition from Cardiff City last summer, is due to
return to action for the reserves after serving a three-match ban
incurred when he was sent off during a pre-season tournament in
Portugal.