Sunderland boss Roy Keane insists Graham Kavanagh remains part of his first team plans.

"Every player training at this football club is part of my plans, they all have an opportunity," he told the Sunday Sun. "Obviously things change, Kav spoke to one or two clubs last Monday but nothing happened. Deals fell through for whatever reason.

"He seems to be keen to stay but again, sometimes that changes, especially come January, because if you're not playing between now and then clubs come looking. There's no doubt Kav wants to be playing but I kept saying that we've got Liam Miller, Dwight Yorke, Dean Whitehead, Grant Leadbitter and Dickson.

"We're not too bad in the middle of the park and who's to say I'm not going to strengthen there in January?

"That's when a player will have to make a decision. Sometimes the players will have to be selfish and I don't mind players saying 'Listen I want to be playing'. I get more worried about players who aren't playing and don't seem to mind.

"He's not played much football for us, he's had his problems with injuries, a serious one last year but come back, and going to Sheffield Wednesday helped him out. But he's training with the first team and he's got a chance.

"You can always do with Kav's experience and like the others who haven't been involved lately, David Connolly and Daryl Murphy, they're all decent lads and all train well. So we know they'll be ready if we need them."