Sunderland boss Roy Keane embarked upon the final year of his current three-year deal at the start of the new season, but chairman Niall Quinn is relaxed about the future. Quinn said: "We have just opened up negotiations with Roy's solicitor last week, and that will move along nicely, I hope.

"You never know, we will see, but I am pretty confident we will have something nice to say in the next few weeks.

"I didn't want to go to Roy Keane with a new contract offer when I couldn't tell him what was happening in 12 months' time, because the minimum contract would have been a year.

"Now hopefully this year, we will be okay and maybe a couple after.

"I don't know. We haven't quite got to the detail, but I am pretty pleased.

"The great thing about Roy is you are not sitting in here with a big agent talking about money, it's about direction.

"That's the biggest thing in the contract talks, and I am confident that on my side of the table, we have got the direction that will please him.

"That's become apparent in the last week or so, and we will kick on from there.

"It will be a great day if he does sign. It will be a big day for him as a manager too.

"It takes a bit of time and there are a few dots on the i's and crosses on the t's.

"Hopefully that's what it is, but I will keep you posted."