VICTORY at the Stadium of Light today will lift Sunderland into the top half of the Championship.

And manager Roy Keane believes the league position will determine how strong his arm will be in the January transfer window.

But, ahead of the wheeling and dealing starting on January 1, Keane has warned clubs hoping for big-money offers from the Black Cats for their players that there is no bottomless pit of cash.

It has been widely predicted the Irishman will be armed with millions to bolster his squad in the new year, after chairman Niall Quinn suggested Keane would be backed in the transfer market.

However, the Sunderland boss, ahead of the visit of Norwich City, when the hosts will be looking to extend an unbeaten run to five games, insists those expecting him to splash masses of cash early in 2007 are mistaken.

"Sunderland have bought players over the years and spent big money, maybe that's what got them into problems in the first place," said Keane, who has spent a combined £2.1m on Dwight Yorke, David Connolly and Graham Kavanagh to date.

"You've got to spend it wisely, like me, but if you want top players, you've got to pay top money. We found that out recently speaking to top players - money talks. It's just the way of the world at the moment - house prices and everything are going through the roof. I haven't spent as much as it has been made out.

"Ten have gone out on loan so we're saving a bit on wages there and we'll get a few bob in for one or two like Lennie Lawrence (from Stoke) and Ben Alnwick (from Tottenham).

"I was well aware when I came into the job I couldn't spend money willy-nilly, but if there's a player in January I think could improve the club then I'm sure there will be money available."

Stanislav Varga, Ross Wallace and Liam Miller were also recruited in August by Keane on free transfers, while defender Lewin Nyatanga and goalkeeper Martin Fulop have both signed on loan with a view to permanent deals in January.

An indication of Keane's ruthless streak has been the way he has offloaded ten of his first-team squad members on loan but he does intend to recruit heavily, even if he feels clubs are trying to hike up the prices when he calls about his targets.

"Maybe clubs are trying to take advantage," said Keane. "A lot of clubs are wheeling and dealing, like us, and you're going to try to get the best deal. But honestly, we haven't got millions and millions to spend and I'll have to wheel and deal like any other manager."

One of Keane's best signings was Kavanagh from Wigan for £500,000 - he has recently been voted in one online poll as the best player in the Championship.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder has only tasted defeat on three occasions since he moved to Wearside and Keane feels there is plenty more to come from his former Ireland colleague.

"That's why you shouldn't listen to fans too much," joked Keane. "When he first came he had a big impact, then got injured. I think we're seeing the benefit now of him getting back his match fitness and you can even see it in training, he's done very well. Hopefully we'll see the benefits in the next few weeks.

"I saw a game just before he came where he played in the Premiership and he looked very well at that level. There's a few players in our team who'd hold their own in the Premiership, there's no doubt about that.

"If you don't ask, you don't get. Kav wasn't really getting that many games and when players aren't getting games they get frustrated. He saw an opportunity and thought we were going to do things at Sunderland so I wasn't surprised. We're Sunderland, we should be expecting to get these players."

Kavanagh is integral to the way Keane wants Sunderland to play and the manager also spoke highly of two men battling to line up alongside the Irishman in the middle of the pitch against the Canaries.

"Liam Miller's done very well in the last few games. He didn't really get a fair crack from me when he came here because we played him on the right but he's played in the middle the last two weeks and he's taken his chance," said Keane.

"I think Grant Leadbitter's played really well over the last two or three weeks as well. He's getting stronger, fitter, getting a run of games. He's maybe getting that bit of confidence now."