And he says although he is looking for a striker, centre-half and left-back, he is prepared to go into the season with the squad he has.

Speaking after last night's overwhelming 6-0 victory over Athlone Town, he said: "The way things are going, we probably won't be signing anybody.

"Not considering some of the prices that have been mentioned to us over the last few days.

"We won't get sucked into any kind of auction with other clubs.

"We've had chats with one or two clubs about different players because, as I've said, there are still three positions I want to strengthen.

"If something happens over the next week or two then I will be absolutely delighted, but my mindset is that we are going to go into the season with the players we have.

"If that is the case, and we go into the season with the players we've got now, then so be it, because we've got some very good players here."

The smart money would be on Keane making breakthroughs in the transfer market before the deadline - a proven striker, a quality centre-half and an attacking full-back remain a high priority for the manager.

But his words last night sent out a clear message that he will not see the club pay over the odds for players simply because the club wants to strengthen.

The Sunderland manager's ambition and the Drumaville consortium's consistent backing has not gone unnoticed in football.

Nor has the Black Cats' readiness to compete with more established clubs for quality players.

But Sunderland are not prepared to seriously overpay for players in the narrow window remaining just because they are ambitious, and the manager will not allow the club to be seen as a soft touch.

Instead he will stick to his principles and ensure that the club isn't taken for a ride, and he does genuinely believe that the squad he has already amassed shows a promise that should not be overlooked.

"I'm still hopeful, but until a player signs on the dotted line, you have to focus on the players you have got in hand," he said.

"Everyone is sick of me talking about bringing players in - you have to remember what good players we already have here.

"It's always a challenge for any manager to get good players into your football club.

"We've managed to do that with the Tottenham lads, Dioufy and one or two others.

"When you're a manager you are always looking to improve by bringing in quality players because that is what wins you matches in the Premiership. That's what we're always trying to do."