Keane hot favourite to land Sunderland job

Roy Keane has hinted he could become Sunderland manager again and suggested the next few days will determine whether he returns to the Stadium of Light.

Keane has been linked with returning to the club he managed between 2006 and 2008 and led into the Premier League.

Asked about speculation he was actually on Wearside on Friday, Keane told ITV while working as a pundit for Manchester United's FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough: "I've no control over that, so no comment.

"But I've made it clear over the last few years I'd like to go back as a manager.

"Of course a club has to want you, you have to want to go to that club.

"Just as important the contract has got to be right. We'll see how things take shape over the next few days."

Sunderland sacked Lee Johnson following last Saturday's 6-0 defeat at Bolton, and with the Black Cats third in Sky Bet League One.

Mike Dodds has been placed in interim charge for this weekend's home clash with bottom-of-the-table Doncaster amid speculation linking Keane, Neil Warnock, Jonathan Woodgate, Neil Lennon and Melbourne City coach Patrick Kisnorbo to the vacancy.

Kisnorbo, the former Leeds United and Ipswich Town defender, was said to be among the candidates for the job earlier in the week but is yet to hear from the Black Cats.

The PA news agency understands the 50-year-old Keane, the ormer Manchester United and Republic of Ireland skipper, is at the top of Sunderland's list.

Keane, then 35, was initially appointed Black Cats boss in August 2006 with the club lying one place off the foot of the Championship table.

He guided them to the title as champions by the end of the campaign and Sunderland finished 15th in the Premier League in their first season back.

But as his relationship with