Former Sunderland defender Pascal Chimbonda believes he would still be playing for the reserves if Roy Keane had remained in charge at the Stadium of Light. The Frenchman had a reported bust-up with Keane earlier this season and was dropped for a number of games, with Chimbonda claiming he was forced to train with the club's reserve side.

Chimbonda returned to Tottenham in the winter transfer window after a difficult time in the North East.

Chimbonda told L'Equipe: "He (Keane) reproached me for having arrived late three times in three months.

"I was apparently not 100 per cent focused. I can't see the benefit of joining the reserves.

"When you are 20 or 22-years-old, I can understand. But at 29-years-old? I stayed with the reserves for more than a month.

"I was mad. If he had not left, I would still be playing in the reserves! Leaving was the only solution."