ROY Keane has already identified the "three or four" players he will attempt to sign when the transfer window re-opens in January.

The Sunderland manager is keen to bolster his squad and chairman Niall Quinn has already pledged to make further money available despite spending more than £35m on new players in the summer.

Manchester United centre-half Jonny Evans is expected to be at the top of the Black Cats' wanted list, either on loan or on a permanent basis, while Nottingham Forest youngster James Perch is another target and Celtic defender Bobo Balde continues to be linked with a possible move to the Stadium of Light.

Keane is understandably reluctant to discuss specifics, but with the start of the new transfer window now less than two months away, the Irishman admits he has already drawn up a shortlist of players to pursue.

"We can't get into a panic situation and buy players for the sake of it," he explained. "But if we can get three or four players in - the three or four I've identified - I would be happy.

"The injuries we've had have confirmed what we need. If we were doing okay and everyone was fit, maybe we would only be looking for a couple.

"Maybe we would have been looking for one less. But that's all. Three or four will do. I would have hoped to have had one or two more in during the summer but the deals just didn't happen."

January is hardly the best of times to be wheeling and dealing, with Sunderland's Premier League rivals likely to be understandably reluctant to release any of their own prize assets.

Keane does not expect a stressfree four weeks, but the Black Cats boss will only be targeting players he feels he has a realistic chance of signing.

"We've narrowed it down to a few players we feel would improve the team and who we feel we can get," he added. "We can all sit here and talk about players we would like at the club but you have to be realistic.

"There are certain players you will not get. Some are at good clubs and some are involved in European football. The best time to get players in is during the summer and we have to bear that in mind."