DON’T know what it is with Sheffield Wednesday and former North-East managers, but they have been linked with a second inside six months – and it might not suit every player at Hillsborough.

Just months after ex- Hartlepool boss Chris Turner failed to lead a consortium takeover of the Owls, former Sunderland manager Roy Keane is now being talked up as a potential successor to Alan Irvine.

Following the takeover of Milan Mandaric, Irvine’s position has been questioned in recent weeks because of the new owner’s reputation for going for a big name.

The club was forced to issue a denial last weekend that Irvine had left in the wake of a thumping at Leyton Orient, after someone hacked into the club’s email account and sent a notice that Irvine was no more.

Keane, regardless of how successful, or not, he was at Ipswich, remains very much a big name; and one that still harbours hopes of proving he can become a managerial success story.

If Keane is to be given the opportunity to lead Wednesday, his arrival is unlikely to be received with the backing of every player already at Hillsborough.

Tommy Miller knows all about working under the Irishman. He was initially used sparingly before being offloaded at Sunderland and then a similar scenario developed at Portman Road.

If Keane did take over from Irvine in the next few weeks, it is safe to assume that Miller would not be banking on an extension to the contract that runs out this summer.

BLOOMFIELD Road has been interesting this season and it was no different for Sunderland’s visit last weekend.

Those who have been to Blackpool’s home ground a couple of times in the last 12 months will have realised there is a new stand, albeit temporary, holding the visiting fans.

The press pack, as we have found out, provided the segregation line between 1,600 away supporters – last week was Sunderland fans – and a similar amount of Blackpool fans.

Pretty interesting is how The Insider would describe it.

But what also became clear last week, was that the first six months of the season in the Premier League have been geared towards a certain visit of Manchester United.

Methods and rules were changed for the visit of Sunderland, with stewards trying to remember the new way for the first time as media representatives were guided around the back of the new, pretty ugly stand to reach the press box.

And as one steward put it, there was only one reason for it, he said: “It’s Manchester United on Wednesday, we are preparing for that.”

Forget Sunderland, Newcastle and whoever else, the Premier League in Blackpool means playing host to Man United – shame their preparations did not end in a win in midweek.

SUNDERLAND fans will be pushing a new, giant flag above their heads at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday.

Attendees of the recent Wear- Tyne derby may have noticed the large Ha’way the Lads flag, which was paraded on the pitch from the halfway line in front of the East Stand to the North West Corner.

This was the first flag produced by Ha’way the Flags, a wholly not-for-profit fan-run group, and the £2000 required was raised through supporter contributions. There is already £756 left following production of the flag and that has been earmarked for the next addition.

The flag is actually a ‘crowd surfer’ banner, the purpose of which is to float over supporters like those at Liverpool and Chelsea and will be deployed from the access 13 stairs as the teams enter the stadium in the East Stand. The hope is that supporters help the banner move anti-clockwise along the stand towards the access 18 stairs where it will stop in time for kick-off.

The surfer will make its full debut on Tuesday and is intended to become a regular feature at every home match subsequently.

ROCKLIFFE HALL have stepped up their link up with European Tour golfer Graeme Storm after a successful first year with him.

Formerly of The Wynyard Club, Storm has been attached to the club since the start of last year and after a blossoming relationship Rockliffe are now sponsoring the 32-year-old.

Storm, playing and impressing in the Volvo Golf Champions in Bahrain this week, regards the deal as his first major sponsorship deal of the season and will play on Tour with the name of Rockliffe Hall emblazoned on his clothing and equipment.

It is another indication of the ambitions of the impressive Hurworth course, which Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has invested around £50m in.

Ian Knight, director of golf operations, said: “Graeme is a likeable and approachable individual and his schedule will take the Rockliffe Hall brand in to a new and untapped international arenas for us.

“He is the perfect ambassador for showcasing the highest quality golf course operation in the North-East.”