Rumours of rift between Sunderland manager Roy Keane and Dean Whitehead have cast a shadow of the future of the club captain, but the former Oxford player insists he wants to remain at the club.

Whitehead stopped short of denying himself and Keane had fallen out when quoted on the club's official website today, but said he was keen to remain with the Black Cats even if it means fighting a little harder for his place if and when the manager strengthens the squad.

"It's exciting times for the club and I want to be a part of it," the 26-year-old midfielder said. "I have been here four years now, I have seen a few ups and downs, but securing top-flight status was a huge thing for us last season and I can't wait to tackle it again this year.

"The gaffer is planning to bring in some new players and that will only benefit the club and me as a player.

"It will create more competition for places and will improve the overall quality of the squad when we sometimes lacked it last season, so it should enable the club to move on to the next level.

"I certainly want to be a part of that and I am looking forward to the challenge of staying in the team."

Whitehead, a €410,000 signing from home town club Oxford in August 2004, missed much of the first half of last season after damaging knee ligaments during the first week of the campaign.

He returned in November and played in the last 26 games, alternating between his specialist central midfield berth and the problem right-back spot before Phil Bardsley's January arrival from Manchester United.

Whitehead is one of few survivors from the side which suffered relegation from the Barclays Premier League with a record low 15 points at the end of the 2005-06 season.