ROY Keane has promised Kenwyne Jones a new strike partner when he returns to first-team action in the middle of October, and revealed he still hopes to make “three more signings” before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Jones underwent knee surgery on Tuesday after sustaining ligament damage in June’s international friendly between Trinidad & Tobago and England but, crucially, there was no need to operate on his cruciates.

Cruciate damage would have ruled Jones out of the whole of the first half of the season, but after a bout of more limited surgery, the Sunderland striker should be back in training within the next eight weeks.

That would enable him to build up his fitness during the October international break, and the away game at Fulham on October 18 has been pencilled in as a possible firstteam return date.

It had previously been feared that Jones would have been unavailable until January at the earliest, but while he admitted to feeling “relieved”

at this week’s developments, Keane insisted the more positive prognosis had not dampened his enthusiasm for signing another striker.

The Sunderland boss continues to pursue both Louis Saha and Kevin Doyle, and is confident of landing a new forward in the current transfer window.

“Kenwyne has avoided major surgery and that’s fantastic news for everyone at the club because he’s a big player for us,” said Keane, before jetting out to Ireland ahead of this evening’s friendly with Athlone Town.

“But I said last year that we were looking for another striker anyway, even before Kenwyne picked up his injury against England. That hasn’t changed.

“In the last few weeks, we’ve managed to sign players that will provide Kenwyne with more support, and hopefully that process will continue over the next couple of weeks.

“We didn’t get enough quality balls into the box last year for one reason or another, but when Kenwyne gets back, I think he will be getting better service. And on top of that, we also hope to have a new strike partner for him as well.”

Sunderland officials have inquired about Saha’s availability, but Sir Alex Ferguson is reluctant to sell the Frenchman until he has successfully completed the capture of his own leading target, Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov.

Doyle’s name has been mentioned during negotiations over Reading full-back Nicky Shorey but, as yet, there has been no firm offer for the Republic of Ireland international.

Keane remains confident of landing a centre-back and a left-back as well as a new striker, although his interest in Celtic defender Bobo Balde has been temporarily shelved.

“There are three positions I’m working on,” said the Black Cats boss. “And, unless you’re really daft, you’ll be able to work out which positions need strengthening.

“We have made some good offers and had some good chats with different players, but we’re not going to be begging anyone to come to this football club.

“We’ve made some good offers and explained where we’re hoping to go. To me, this is a fantastic football club and a good option for one or two we have spoken to. It will change. One or two doors will open, and one or two will shut over the next few weeks.”

One or two players will also be leaving the Stadium of Light, with Rade Prica and Michael Chopra both currently involved in discussions relating to a possible departure from Wearside.

Prica is in talks with two Swedish clubs, and after making just six substitute appearances following a £2m move from Aalborg in January, the 28-year-old is poised for a rapid return to his homeland.

Chopra is the subject of increased interest from Premier League newcomers Hull, and Tigers boss Phil Brown is confident of signing the former Newcastle marksman provided Sunderland sign a new striker of their own.

“One or two clubs are speaking to Rade,” confirmed Keane.

“But I have nothing to report on that side of things with Michael. Rade, possibly.

One or two Scandinavian clubs are talking to him and I’ll be speaking to him again soon.”

This evening’s game marks the start of a two-game tour of Ireland, with Sunderland also due to face Shamrock Rovers on Saturday.

This evening’s opponents, Athlone, are in the Irish Second Division, and Keane will name a weakened line-up tonight before naming a much stronger side for Saturday’s game.

“They’ll be two more good games for us, and in terms of pre-season it’s a case of so far, so good,’’ he said.

“I’ve been generally pleased with the attitude of the players and their work-rate has been good since we’ve come back.

“We still need a bit of help in terms of strengthening in certain positions but, overall, I’m fairly pleased so far.”