THERE is no danger of Roy Keane's first managerial honour going to his head, after the Sunderland boss threatened to consign the manager of the month award for February to the garage.

But, while the Irishman is choosing to regard his reward for his achievements last month as 'nonsense', Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn said: "I'm feeling quite proud.

Quinn, responsible for attracting the world-renowned midfielder to Wearside in August, had steered Sunderland to five consecutive defeats at the start of the season when he realised something had to be done.

Realising he was not cut out for management, Quinn plumped for his former Republic of Ireland team-mate in the hope of saving a season that was already heading for disaster.

Keane, after having second thoughts on turning the job down a few weeks earlier, stepped in and from a perilous position towards the foot of the Championship he has guided the team to within four points of the top.

The four February wins - over Coventry, Plymouth, Southend and Derby - and the draw with Birmingham have made the rest of the division take notice, and resulted in him being named the league's top boss.

Quinn, admitting such a trophy would not have been heading his way had he remained in charge, is more than willing to accept the trophy on behalf of the club's delighted fans if Keane would rather not.

"I am feeling quite proud that Roy has won manager of the month," said Quinn. "For me it vindicates why I picked him. I mightn't have been a good manager myself but I was good in knowing who to choose to follow me.

"He is an absolute pro. He doesn't allow distraction from the drive and the vision he has. It's typical of a guy who is an out-and-out winner.

"In his playing days he was winning trophies but you could see in his eyes he was already thinking of lifting more. I understand his stance but I would say to the fans to enjoy it."

The fear of losing the game immediately after being crowned manager of the month could also be playing a part in Keane's thoughts. The impression he gave, however, was that it was more than that.

"I'm not bothered about it one bit. I can't get my head round why they give out awards during the season," said Keane, knowing right-winger Carlos Edwards has also been nominated for February's player of the month.

"I don't get sucked into all that nonsense. I tell my players every day that we've achieved nothing. I'll stick it in the garage if I win it.

"The time to reflect on any season is at the end. If you feel a team deserves something you give the team that award, not individuals and certainly not the manager."

Keane - whose closest rival for the award was one of his predecessors, Mick McCarthy, now in charge at Wolves - chooses instead to look at what is around the corner.

Tomorrow Sunderland head to second-placed West Brom for a fixture which could have a serious effect on the promotion race ahead of the end-of-season ten-game run-in, starting at Barnsley a week later.

"It's about where you finish at the end of the season," said Keane. "The crunch time is over the next 11 games. Are they 11 cup finals? More important than that."

Keane has continued his changes this week with the appointment of former Manchester United talent-spotter, Mick Brown, as his chief scout.

Brown, responsible for recommending the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy to Sir Alex Ferguson, also spent a year scouting for West Brom before more recently working for Steve McClaren with England.

"It's a key position," said Keane, proving he is just as concerned with planning for the future as he is the short-term.

Tickets for Sunderland's trip to Barnsley have sold out. Sunderland will not receive any further tickets, on top of the initial 7,746. Tickets are still available for the next home game, against City on March 13, priced from just £8 juniors and £19 adults.