Steed Malbranque joined the Black Cats' injury list after picking up a knock in Wednesday's Carling Cup victory over over Nottingham Forest.

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Malbranque is almost certain to miss Sunday's Manchester City game and there are also doubts over Kieran Richardson, Djibril Cisse, David Healy and Danny Collins.

Kenwyne Jones, Teemu Tainio, Dwight Yorke and Dickson Etuhu were already missing and Keane will not risk new signing Anton Ferdinand who is recovering from a hamstring injury.

Premier League teams have a weekend off domestic duty after this weekend's round of fixtures.

"It sounds funny at this stage of the season, but we'll be ready for the break," said Keane.

"I'm not suggesting for one minute that my players are tired but it's been a hectic start to the season.

"Maybe it's a chance for us to take stock. We have lots of new lads settling in, it's been a hectic time.

"Some people complain about the international matches but it's a chance for a few of our lads to step back and recharge their batteries - as early as it is in the season.

"The last thing we needed at Forest was extra time, because we had picked up a few injuries, but it's nice to be in the next round.

"Steed (Malbranque) is struggling, he's quite sore, and Djibril (Cisse) had cramp after 70 minutes, he has not had much football in pre-season. We're working extremely hard on his recovery."

Sunderland will look for a third successive win when City go to the Stadium of Light.

It has been a promising start to the season for the club's fans but Keane is sure there is more to come from his new-look side.

"People are still getting to know each other," he said.

"It's still early days. The fact is, we've won two of the three games since the new players came in, so they will be thinking it's not a bad start.

"I think it takes seven or eight games before you get your real sharpness. We saw evidence the other night that one or two of the players don't know each other; that will come over the next month or two; we have to be a bit patient.

"The new lads have done well, their quality is coming through in glimpses and they will get better. The signs are positive but we know there's a lot more to come from this team."