[Mighty T.A.L.]

Roy Keane has been promised a considerable transfer war chest this summer regardless of whether or not Sunderland win promotion.

Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn has been impressed by what Keane has managed to achieve in his first season of management, and is eager to provide him with the financial backing to improve his squad before the start of next season.

Sunderland have stormed to the top of the Championship with a superb recent run and only have to maintain their form for another four games to clinch a place in the Premiership.

The club have announced a performance-related sponsorship deal with Irish bookmaker Boylesports which could net them more than £10million over four years, and Quinn insists there will be an injection of cash in the summer even if promotion slips away.

He explained: "We have appointed a great manager, the player recruitment system he has introduced is working brilliantly, we have agreed a new bank deal which means we will not be giving all our money to the banks every year, we have a kit contract with Umbro which will be the envy of many football clubs, and here today we have another massive contract.

"It feels as though progress is in the air, but I will not be happy - I will never be happy, I do not think Roy will ever be happy - because to keep the momentum going, you have got to keep your eye on the ball and be prepared for every eventuality.

"That is why, if we are unfortunate enough to miss out this year, we have a massive injection to add to the team.

"All that will go to Roy to improve the football team. That is me being a chairman ensuring Roy has all the structures he needs.

"If all goes well in the next four games and we manage to get into the Premiership the mindset is the same, but the figures will be different."

Boylesports managing director John Boyle has expressed his delight with the new agreement, and revealed his ambitious vision for Sunderland.

"I would see Sunderland as Premiership winners, I would see them as Champions League winners," he said.

"There is no end to success. When you have big goals and you have the right team, then it is easy because you are following a success formula that cannot fail."

Source: Skysports