Sunderland boss Roy Keane has heaped praise on his opposite number at Newcastle United.

Keane, who is preparing, for Sunday's derby clash on Sunday told the Sunderland Echo, "I was delighted to see him come back in, absolutely delighted.

"You see a lot of people in football, and a lot of people are maybe even losing their love for the game.

"I watched a reserve game the other night and it was absolutely shocking, just people going through the motions.

"What shouldn't be underestimated, and I am not being disrespectful, is Kevin's enthusiasm.

"It is absolutely brilliant and I love that. It was only a matter of time before they started getting back to winning ways.

"Football needs people like Kevin Keegan, trust me."

Keane says it was only a matter of time before Keegan got it right at St James's Park.

He added: "Any manager will tell you, it takes time. But unfortunately, managers do not get that time.

"Everyone needs to be patient and we are seeing that now even with Kevin Keegan. He has still only been back two minutes.

"But what Kevin Keegan has got, he has got great enthusiasm for the game and that is a vital component for any manager.

"The game can become very robotic, but what you see with Kevin is that he loves the game and that is rubbing off on his players.

"The players, particularly over the last few of weeks, seem to have been playing with great freedom and they seems to be really enjoying the game.

"If you want to be at the top, top level, you have got to enjoy being a footballer and you have got to enjoy the so-called pressures of the game.

"That's why you have seen Newcastle playing so well over the last few weeks."