The Black Cats failed to get a training "barn" at the Academy of Light after planners rejected that element of the development.

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But manager Roy Keane has stressed the importance of having an alternative to trying to prepare his players in frosty and traditionally windy conditions.

Wearside is awaiting the effects of the big storm that has swept the South and West of England in the last 24 hours.

But Keane will be happy if it turns out to be a storm in a tea-cup as he prepares his side to face Chelsea on Saturday.

He is not using the conditions as any excuse for his side's precarious Premier League position, but insists having the option to train in a top-class indoor facility is another part of the jigsaw.

"That's something I've been discussing every day since I got the job," he told the Echo. "You talk about getting the right players, but facilities have got to be right as well.

"It is imperative that we have our own indoor arena, without a doubt."
There seems little hope of overcoming the planning barriers that prevented creation of indoor facilities at the Academy of Light.

So that may mean looking at another site.

Sunderland paid for an artificial pitch to be laid at Sunderland's Crowtree Leisure Centre to ensure that academy status was retained, but Crowtree's days are numbered as a result of a wide-ranging review of leisure services in the city.

And the club would prefer to have purpose-built, dedicated resource.

"I know there have been issues previously and I shouldn't talk about them because I wasn't involved with the club," said Keane.

"To be fair to the club, they have the wheels in motion and it is only a matter of time until they get something sorted.

"At a club like Sunderland you don't only need facilities for the first team, you need it for the academy, for the kids in the evening.

"First and foremost, when you've got kids coming to the club they've got to feel safe and secure."

Sunderland recently made arrangements to train at Soccarena, the indoor football facility at Durham where former Roker Park favourite Richard Ord is a leading figure.

But land close to the Stadium of Light may be a more realistic option.