ROY KEANE has insisted he has a group of players more than capable of overcoming Bolton in this afternoon's must-win' fixture and, more pertinently, ensuring Sunderland emerge victorious from their season-long relegation fight.

In an attempt to steer the Black Cats to safety, Keane has taken steps to adding the combative Welshman Robbie Savage to his ranks after holding talks with the Blackburn midfielder this week.

With two points separating the Black Cats from fourth-bottom Wigan, there are growing fears on Wearside that Championship football beckons again next season despite having the second half of the season to run.

And with Bolton claiming 12 points from their nine Premier League matches since Gary Megson took charge in October, Sunderland fans will be today's opponents will be a far tougher proposition than the one previously managed by Sammy Lee.

But Keane, whose side have won just one of their last 13 games, remains confident in the men he has at his disposal and has challenged them to reach the turn of the year with a moraleboosting win behind them.

He makes no secret of his belief that his squad lacks the top talent to become a force in the top-flight and he intends to try and rectify that next month.

But Sunderland's position in the relegation places needs immediate addressing to strengthen Keane's hand in the transfer market.

The Black Cats' boss, however, remains full of praise for the way the players he currently has at his disposal have continued to compete in difficult circumstances.

"It's like being in a boxing fight. The referee is looking at our eyes and thinking are Sunderland preparing to throw the towel in," said Keane, whose side's 4-0 collapse to leaders Manchester United extended their winless run to four matches.

"But we've had a few blows, no doubt. Some massive blows. But we're still on our feet and while we're still on our feet we've got a chance.

"I think the players are giving their all and if they weren't then I'd be seriously losing some sleep.

But we keep on going. We're lacking quality in certain areas and we know that, but we're getting on with it and that's what pleases me most."

Given how Sunderland have taken just 14 points from a possible 57 so far this season, it is no surprise to learn that Keane is looking for a marked improvement in the final 19 league matches of the season.

A failure to do that and Sunderland will be back in the Football League come August, something the former Manchester United captain had not been planning for.

"It will have to be better," said Keane. "If we have the same points total as we have from the first half of the season then there's a good chance we'll be in the Championship next year. Our job is to make sure that our form is greatly improved - and hope our luck improves because luck does play a part.

"There are a lot of different ways of keeping heads up. Hopefully that's what I get paid very, very well to do, to try and stop that. There's lots that I hope I've got up my sleeve to do that and hopefully the players will respond to it, whatever it might be.

"But footballers are human beings and they need picking up.

Like I need picking up sometimes.

But nobody picks the manager up."

A victory over Bolton - yet to win away from home in the league this season - would put Sunderland level on points with the Trotters. With that in mind Keane is looking for a repeat of the showings that brought positive results against Derby, Aston Villa, Fulham, Reading and Tottenham.

"Saturday, I suppose, is a mustwin game," he said. "Any game at home is important and to win on Saturday would be a big bonus.

"But listen, that's going to be a very tough game anyway. In the position we're in and with the squad we've got we've got no easy games coming up."

Despite being armed with around £20m to spend next month, Keane has warned fans not to expect panic buys and he suggests that there will not be too many new arrivals.

Savage is thought to be keen on the idea of moving to Sunderland in a reputed £2m switch from Blackburn. The 33-year-old should sign a three-year deal.

And Keane is hoping that Sunderland's perilous position will not hamper his attempts to bring in new personnel.

"Only time will tell whether it (recent run) will make it more difficult to sign players," said Keane, who is also interested in Aston Villa defender Gary Cahill.

"If we were higher up the table then it might be a different attraction.

"But I've always said that I believe Sunderland are an attractive club for players anyway.

With 40,000 here every week we hope this club will always be attractive to any player.

"That's what I will be saying if I get the chance to speak to one or two players. We hope we can bring in two or three but that might be about it."