Roy Keane praises Sunderland rivals Newcastle

Roy Keane called a temporary truce with rivals Newcastle yesterday and insisted Kevin Keegan's enthusiasm will help revive the Geordies.

The Sunderland boss warmed up for the North-East derby on Sunday with an outbreak of respect and diplomacy that is unlikely to be matched when the sides do battle on the pitch.

Keane said: "I was absolutely delighted to see Kevin Keegan back there.

"I think a lot of people are losing their love for the game so you shouldn't underestimate the importance of Kevin's enthusiasm.

"Football is a bit robotic and Keegan brings something different. His players seem to be playing with a bit of freedom.

"I watched his team against Reading - they had a move in the second half and if another team had done it you'd be waxing lyrical about it.

"Most importantly, like all of Kevin's teams they seem to be enjoying playing football and even that has gone out of football a little bit.

"Keegan has got is great enthusiasm for the game and I think that is a vital component in any manager. I respect him.

"They have been playing with great freedom. I was delighted to see him back."

Keane added: "I didn't lose many at St James' Park - I got sent off a few times though! It's always a good atmosphere there. We know what it means to the locals."

Newcastle have the third highest average home crowd in the land and Sunderland fourth, topping 44,000, ahead of Liverpool and Everton, and Keane reckons that gives rise to optimism for the future.

Keane added: "If any supporters have had hope over the last few years it is the ones in the North-East and it's not quite happened.

"It might be more than two years before we get there. I think teams like Newcastle, Sunderland and Boro have been saying for a while 'we can get to that level'.

"But it's great having that fan-base and it gives you a chance but I've said it before, you need big, big, big money. Big boys stuff."

With one eye on the future, it is the present that counts now for the North-East rivals.

"When you look at the likes of Owen, Viduka, Martins and Butt - top international players - it was only a matter of time before Newcastle went on a run. They have managed to do that over the last five weeks.

"They have a stronger squad but that is what we are striving to do. We want to compete with Newcastle year in year out, and beat them.

"We need to get the points to finish the job off and then make sure we get stronger over the next few years."

Keane (right) revealed referees' chief Keith Hackett phoned him to apologise for incorrect decisions this season, including a penalty awarded to Manchester City last week.

He said: "The phone call was of little or no consolation. We have had seven or eight major calls that were blatantly wrong ."

BUT IT WASN'T ALWAYS SO COSY

ROY'S BIG DAYS OUT ON THE TOON

MAR 96: NEWCASTLE 0 MAN U 1

Keane's key role saw his side knock Newcastle out of the title race.

SEP 01: NEWCASTLE 4 MAN U 3

He was sent off for taking a swing at Alan Shearer.

APR 03: NEWCASTLE 2 MAN U 6

Four goals in 12 minutes for Keane's men who went on to the title.

AUG 05: NEWCASTLE 0 MAN U 2

He bagged a final victory as a player at St James' Park.