The Irishman learnt the hard way last summer how frustrating the transfer market can be, and is not prepared to spend his entire summer on the end of a telephone this time around.

Keane has made no secret of his intention to strengthen his resources during the close-season - Ian Harte, Stephen Wright, Andy Cole and Stanislav Varga have already been told their contracts will not be renewed and a series of young players have been released, while others are certain to follow.

Keane said: "A lot of players and a lot of clubs will be keeping their options open this summer, especially with the European Championships being played.

"You tend to find that very few deals are done early these days and when players have a platform like the European Championships, then they will be looking to perform.

"I have said all along that I won't get carried away with pushing things in the first three or four weeks of the summer.

"If I could get people in, great, but I won't get bogged down in ringing people here, there and everywhere because things don't happen quickly.

"Players go away on holiday, managers go on holiday and it's difficult to get things done.

"I have learnt that from what happened last year."

Sunderland were the only one of the three promoted clubs to retain their place in the Barclays Premier League at the end of last season, although not without a struggle.

The Black Cats finally secured their top-flight status with 3-2 win over derby rivals Middlesbrough with two matches to play, but Keane will not settle for a similar return next time around.

He said: "We got one or two decent results towards the end of the season, but I think that was probably papering over the cracks.

"I am trying to build a club, and my long-term plan for the club is that we want to play good football and are not involved in relegation battles."