Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is confident of his strong relationship with manager Roy Keane.

He said: "I think it is a big help that I played the game. Professionally we are on the same wavelength.

"I know that when you put constraints around talented people, it causes friction.

"That's not my job. My job isn't to watch over and have a big stick, it's is one of partnership. That is the way I see it. To give a really talented person as much support as I can to help him to develop.

"It's not about having people photographed in the crowd. We keep out of the limelight and let Roy develop his career.

"I trust Roy and am happy to keep supporting him. The mix is right. We don't want to start chucking people out, causing issues when there is no need.

"I am consoled by the fact that if a big club wants Roy then it means that we are doing well. I'd live with that.

"But we have got to believe we can compete with the big-money clubs.

"You try telling Roy Keane that we are a little bit worried about what other clubs are doing!

"I would love, at the end of Roy's contract - if we manage to be where we want to be - to have spent four years in the Premier League. If that happens, then that would be fantastic for Sunderland."