Patrick Vieira's message to Roy Keane good luck amid Sunderland talks

Patrick Vieira thinks Roy Keane will relish the challenge of becoming Sunderland manager for the second time in his career.

The Black Cats pulled the trigger on Lee Johnson after a 6-0 drubbing by Bolton last weekend - a result that leaves them four points off the automatic promotion places despite playing three games more than second-placed Wigan.

A play-off place looks likely but that was not deemed enough to keep Johnson in a job as new owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus quickly pulled the trigger after the embarrassing defeat.

Former Sunderland boss Keane - who last worked as a manager over a decade ago at Ipswich - has emerged as the front runner for the job, a move that Mackems have reacted positively to on social media.

Old foe Vieira has welcomed the possibility of Keane returning to management ahead of his side’s FA Cup clash with Hartlepool.

"Yeah, I think deep inside him this is something that he will want to try again,” he said.

"And I think if there's an opportunity there, I think he will.

“He will take it. And I will wish him good luck."

Keane’s last spell at Sunderland saw him take the reins while the club sat in the Championship relegation zone.

The Black Cats steadily climbed up the table on their way to winning the title and securing an instant return to the Premier League.

The Man Utd legend solidified Sunderland in the top flight and guided the club to its first home victory against Newcastle in 28 years.

However, a deterioration in his and owner Ellis Short’s relationship caused Keane to resign in December 2008, with the club sitting in the bottom three.