Sunderland 0 Ajax 1

ROY Keane will step up his search for a striker this week, after his side went down 1-0 to Ajax at the Stadium of light yesterday.

And, with Kenwyne Jones going under the surgeon’s knife today, Keane will soon know the full extent of the challenge he faces to strengthen his attacking options.

“We will know within 24 hours the exact damage, one way or the other so, fingers crossed. But I’ll be saying a few prayers tonight,” said the Sunderland manager who knows that the prospect of Jones enduring a lengthy layoff with knee trouble, will put added pressure on his need for a reliable marksman.

And while he won’t be pressed into making a panic buy, Keane is eager to tie up deals as soon as possible.

“We’re still hopeful of two or three players to come on board – we’ve got to remember that we’ve got two or three weeks to play with, but we don’t want to get backed into a corner come the end of August,”

said Keane.

But he was heartened by the performance of one of his new recruits, as El Hadji Diouf starred in a Sunderland performance which showed many positives.

“I thought he did very well today. In terms of performance I thought he was very good,” said the Black Cats boss, who also handed home debuts to Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque and Teemu Tianio.

“I thought all of the new players looked very assured today – very comfortable and they will only get stronger and better.

“They can all deal with the ball, which is the kind of player I want at the club and I have to say I am delighted with them.”

Diouf may be the Premier League’s favourite boo boy, but it took only 20 minutes for the Stadium of Light faithful to start singing the c o n t r o v e r - sial winger’s name. Collecting a ball on the edge of the S u n - d e r - l a n d a r e a , the Senegal international’s cool control and c o n f i d e n t run from his own box, saw the home fans roar their approval.

Wearside’s latest hero was Sunderland’s star performer on a pitch that, just before kick-off, had been graced by legends of yesteryear.

Members of the victorious 1973 FA Cup team received a deserved standing ovation from the crowd.

The fixture was being held as part of the 35th anniversary celebrations marking Sunderland’s famous Wembley triumph.

Sunderland lined up in a 4- 5-1 formation, with Darryl Murphy as a sole striker, supported by Anthony Stokes and Diouf.

Finnish midfielder Teemu Tianio operated as defensive anchor in front of an experimental back four comprising a central pairing of Nyron Nosworthy and Danny Collins – flanked on the right by Chimbonda and Danny Higginbotham in an unfamiliar left-back berth.

Craig Gordon was forced to deal with a couple of early scares as Ajax gave a cameo demonstration of their trademark incisive passing.

But Sunderland had the better of a competitive first half and Diouf was at the heart of most of the home side’s good work .

Just before the break, Sunderland could have taken the lead when Murphy, set up by Diouf, saw a curling shot shave the post.

“We saw a lot of good stuff.

Lots of very good chances – but if you create chances you’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net, “ said Keane who saw his side’s profligacy in front of goal punished early in the second half.

Gordon made two excellent reflex saves before the Ajax captain, Jan Huntelaar, showed the predatory instincts that bagged him 33 goals in 34 games last season as he crashed the ball home from 10 yards.

It was another reminder to Keane, as if one were needed, of the benefits of a top-quality striker.

Malbranque, who had replaced Darryl Murphy at h a l f - t i m e , quickly displayed t h e nimble footwork and energetic approach play to show why Keane has so doggedly pursued the Frenchman’s signature in recent weeks.

Sunderland should have levelled when Deane Whitehead burst into the area but his shot was blocked by Stekelenburg in the Ajax goal.

A minute later, in the best move of the half, a deft flick from Andy Reid fed Chimbonda who out outpaced his marker but his goal-bound shot was scrambled off the line.

Asked how many strikers he was considering bringing to the club, Keane would only confirm: “We’ve got one or two options.”

But he was very clear when asked how many new defenders he expected to recruit “Two,” he responded unequivocally.

Keane admitted he requires a specialist left back – with Nicky Shorey and Marseille’s Taye Taiwo possible targets. If personal terms can be agreed, Celtic’s Bobo Balde is likely to add experience in central defence.

A minor back problem meant that Kieran Richardson was the only absentee from a strong Sunderland squad.

Keane added: “There was no way we were going to risk Kieran.

“But I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t on the flight to Ireland – we didn’t want to take any chances with him – it’s as simple as that.”

Sunderland: Gordon, Chimbonda, Higginbotham (Luscombe 66), Tainio (Henderson 77), Nosworthy, Collins, Diouf (O’- Donovan 80), Whitehead,(Leadbitter 59), Murphy (Malbranque 45), Reid (Edwards 66), Stokes (Chopra 77). Subs (not used): Ward, Bardsley.

Ajax: Stekelenburg, Silva (Ogararu 71), Presas, Lindgren (Donald 59), Huntelaar (Sulejmani 59), Aissati, Suarez (Martina 80), Gabri, Cvitanich, Anita (Slijngard 59), Schilder. Attendance 19,768