Sunderland close in on Tottenham four as Roy Keane escapes ban

Roy Keane will escape a touchline ban, despite kicking off Sunderland's pre-season campaign with a red-card rage.

The Ireland legend was sent to the stands as his side beat Sporting Lisbon 3-1 in a game littered with angry confrontations and bad tackles that also saw Michael Chopra dismissed.

Sunderland had feared that Keane could end up in the stands for the Premier League kick-off, but last night the Football Association insisted that was highly unlikely.

The Portugal FA would have to report both Keane and Chopra but FA sources say even then they would be reluctant to dish out punishment.

Keane's squad are on a training camp in the Algarve and he is expecting to make progress with his £23million bid to sign four Spurs players in the next couple of days.

He has met Teemu Tainio, Pascal Chimbonda, Younes Kaboul and Steed Malbranque and is now awaiting their decisions.

Keane said: "We've worked really hard and everyone knows I spoke to players over the weekend and that went well.

"There's still one or two loose ends to be tied up at the Spurs end, with one or two of these players, and hopefully it won't drag on too long.

"I'd like a few positive decisions over the next couple of days but I was very impressed with the four players when I met them and we look forward to the news over the next few days.

//'); //]] "The club has made some very good offers and fingers crossed we can get across the finishing line."

Keane was pleased with his side's friendly win and added: "There's no such thing as a friendly, is there? It was a good game, very competitive and there were some good goals.

"There were a few tackles going in on our lads but what we tend to find with most of the English teams is they get up and get on with it but it doesn't seem to work the other way round.

"I don't mind there being an edge to a game and a few tackles because you've got to tackle in football. There were a few tasty tackles going in and that's what football's all about.

"Michael Chopra was very, very unlucky to get sent off and hopefully not too much will come of it. Anyone who knows Chops knows he can't tackle. I suppose it was a typical striker's tackle - slightly mistimed."