Ellis Short, the new major influence at Sunderland, is taking care of Roy Keane's contract situation, it has been revealed.

Short, the Dallas-based millionaire, has become the largest single shareholder in the Drumaville Consortium who own the North-East club.

And the Telegraph says he has agreed to underwrite a two-year business plan that allows chairman Niall Quinn to open negotiations with manager Keane over a new contract. His current deal expires at the end of the season.