Sunderland boss Roy Keane has paid tribute to Republic of Ireland international Daryl Murphy after seeing him play a major role in the club's revival.

Murphy has emerged as a key member of Keane's side in recent weeks as Sunderland have put together a run of excellent home form to drag themselves out of the immediate fight for Barclays Premier League survival.

The Black Cats sit in 14th place in the table ahead of Saturday's trip to Portsmouth, only four points clear of the drop zone but having put together a run of five victories from their last seven league games at the Stadium of Light.

Indeed, they have won the last four on the trot with Murphy having started three of them, and scored as many goals, to cement his place in the team.

The fact his run of form has come at a time when he was strongly linked with a move away from Wearside, with QPR paying particular attention to him, makes his contribution all the more creditable.

Keane said: "Daryl, particularly over the last four or five weeks, has been outstanding.

"I had a good chat with him. There was speculation he might be going here, there and everywhere. I had a chat and told him basically we are delighted with him and he is going nowhere.

"Players need that sometimes. Every player just sometimes needs a five-minute chat to say, 'Listen, we are delighted with you'. He's a good pro, he trains well, he looks like a footballer, he is a good athlete and he is doing well for us."

Murphy had to wait until December 29 for his first goal of the season in his 13th appearance when he struck as a substitute in the 3-1 home win over Bolton.

He has started the seven games since, at times on the left side of midfield rather than in his preferred striking role, and also found the back of the net against Birmingham and, in spectacular style last time out, Wigan.

The Waterford-born player arrived in England in a #100,000 move from his home-town club in June 2005 during Mick McCarthy's reign and endured a difficult start to his career over here as Sunderland plummeted back out of the top flight.

However, he has gradually established himself in Keane's plans, and it is not only his compatriot who has noticed him.

Keane said: "He's a good player. Every club we have played, nearly every manager I have spoken to has spoken very highly about him after the game, and that's always a good sign.

"He's a good player and a good lad, a very good lad."