ROY Keane is considering a surprise recall for both Michael Chopra and Paul Mc- Shane as he attempts to repair some of the damage caused by last weekend’s dismal defeat to Bolton.

Chopra and McShane are currently on loan at Cardiff and Hull respectively, but Keane is toying with the idea of calling them back to the Stadium of Light as he ponders his options ahead of Saturday’s trip to Manchester United and the following weekend’s crucial home game with West Brom.

The Black Cats boss had not expected to see Chopra until early January, and had written off McShane for the rest of the season.

But last weekend’s heavy reverse has tempted him to look seriously at options he might previously have regarded as unlikely.

While the likes of Greg Halford and Graham Kavanagh have been loaned because their Sunderland careers are effectively at an end, both Chopra and McShane could yet carve out a future at the Stadium of Light.

A recall before this weekend’s trip to Old Trafford is unlikely, but if Sunderland were to suffer another heavy defeat in Manchester, it would not be a surprise to see both players returning to Wearside next week.

Chopra only left to rejoin Cardiff four weeks ago, but the former Newcastle striker has already bagged two goals in five games for the Bluebirds.

McShane has been something of a revelation at Hull, making 12 appearances as the Tigers have stormed to sixth position in the table. Rightback has been a problem position for Sunderland, with neither Pascal Chimbonda nor Phil Bardsley looking particularly reliable, and while Mc- Shane struggled in his first spell on Wearside, Keane may be willing to give him a second chance.

The Sunderland boss recalled Carlos Edwards from a loan spell at Wolves last month and promoted him straight to the substitutes’ bench for the 1-0 defeat to West Ham, and has previously displayed a penchant for the unexpected.

Recalling more of his loan players would fall into that category, but desperate times may call for increasingly desperate measures.

Those measures are unlikely to include the return of Kavanagh, and the former Republic of Ireland international last night outlined his desire to remain at Carlisle beyond the end of his current loan deal, which is due to expire on December 13.

“I’ve really enjoyed it here,”

said Kavanagh. “I feel I’m making a contribution. We are starting to turn it around and I wouldn’t like to walk away from that.”

Meanwhile, Craig Gordon has emerged as an injury doubt ahead of Saturday’s trip to Old Trafford with a recurrence of his ankle injury.

Kieran Richardson will miss the game after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Bolton.

■ Last night’s reserves game with Manchester United was postponed because of adverse weather conditions.

All tickets will be valid for the rearranged fixture, but the date is yet to be confirmed.