New Sunderland manager Roy Keane has been promised every possible assistance in his efforts to bring in new players before Thursday's transfer deadline.

Keane will take training for the first time today knowing the Wearsiders remain in the relegation zone despite Monday's win over West Bromwich Albion and have less than 72 hours remaining before the transfer window slams shut.

Chairman Niall Quinn knows the timing is not ideal but has pledged to help Keane in any way possible as he looks to strengthen a squad which will be expected to force their way back up the Coca-Cola Championship.

"We have inherited a difficult situation because the transfer budget suffered with all the other cutbacks," admitted Quinn. "We know the window is closing but, on Roy's recommendations, we will go and try to help him out in the next few days."

At least Keane will feel a bit more encouraged about the task in hand after watching Sunderland finally record their first win of the season. And, while he may have been watching from the stand and met his new charges only once, Quinn feels Keane's presence is already having an effect

"When Roy was introduced to the players on Sunday, you could almost see them standing an inch or two taller thinking 'we are going to be working with that man - that is incredible'," said Quinn.

"Possibly, the players are a bit scared. I hope they are, not in the sense they will underperform, but that they will give their all when they go training. This is a very demanding place but standards are going to have to be lifted."

Quinn has already played down any lingering bitterness over events at the Republic of Ireland's World Cup training camp in Saipan four years ago, which led to Keane dubbing his former international team-mate as "a muppet" and "a coward" in his autobiography.

Keane has no managerial experience and, at 35, will be one of the youngest bosses on the circuit, but Quinn is convinced he is the right man to get rid of the losing mentality which has enveloped the Wearside outfit in recent years.

"You only have to spend a short time in Roy's company to realise just how impressive he is," Quinn said. "It was virtually a case of him interviewing us rather than the other way round.

"He has immense football knowledge, desire and passion and, without doubt, a world-class attraction. There are many people shaking their heads wondering how we have managed to pull it off. In a way, I am feeling like that too.

"We are fortunate to have him but he is here and it is happening."

Quinn confirmed Keane's contract was exclusively a management deal and there was "no question" of the former Manchester United and Celtic midfielder pulling on his boots again after announcing his retirement in the summer.

He added that no decision had been made on whether Brian Kidd would be appointed as Keane's number two, although Sunderland tonight confirmed Leicester's Tony Loughlan would be moving to the north-east to become the club's head coach.

"I hope this is a statement of intent for Sunderland," said Quinn.