Quinn and Keane are determined to safeguard the Black Cats' Premier League status following promotion.

And Quinn confirmed:

"We're back on the case and looking ahead to the transfer window reopening in January. I will be doing everything we can to make sure Roy gets the signatures he wants.

"We've delivered in the previous transfer windows and naturally the aim is to deliver again. In some ways, this time is every bit as important as when the window opens because a lot of scouting and research into players is being done.

Certainly Sunderland fans will hope that is the case, as there has been some criticism . . . mostly from outside the club . . . of Keane's transfer policy. Especially so given that virtually all of his purchases have consisted of players the manager has played with or against. Quinn is insistent, however, that the four months spent in the Premier League by that stage will prove beneficial in the market.

"The January window is likely to be more use to us than the summer one was because we'll have had more of a run at it. By that, I mean that this time all of our efforts will have been focused on the January window with us knowing which division we're in.

"Between January and the summer when we were scouting, we didn't know for sure what level we'd be playing at. In that respect, the established Premier League clubs had an advantage over us. We hope, come Christmas, our squad will be showing we're worthy of being a top-flight team and we'll hope to attract one or two players in January. We'll certainly be trying to do that.

"I've said before that player recruitment is everything and that is still the case as we look to keep the show on the road. The playing and coaching staff are working so hard, and behind the scenes we are doing everything we can to give them the best backing possible.'' Among some of the names already being touted to arrive at the Stadium of Light come the new year are Manchester United duo Jonny Evans and Danny Simpson, who both enjoyed successful loan spells at Sunderland last season. Evans in particular impressed Keane, winning the club's 'Youth Player of the Year' award for his contribution to promotion.