But with the club tight-lipped over who they are after, the rumour mill continues to churn out names.

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Jason Roberts re-emerged as an alleged target this morning, possibly in the wake of the Blackburn Rovers striker's thrilling late winner against Bolton Wanderers at the weekend.

But Roberts – whose future at Ewood Park remains uncertain – is one of the few players that Keane has indicated to the Echo that he is not interested in pursuing.

Similarly Leroy Lita is a player that Sunderland have been repeatedly linked to, even though there has not been the slightest suggestion of interest from Wearside.

And Reading boss Steve Coppell has now revealed he has not received a single inquiry for the wantaway striker.

The Under-21 international Lita has had enough of being left on the bench in recent months and is keen to move.

Coppell said: "He is a player that wants to play, that's the bottom line and has been for months. He is a player under contract but the way of the world is such that if there is an opening for somebody somewhere then I'm sure we will hear about it.

"But I have not heard from anybody about Leroy. There has been a lot of speculation but I have certainly heard nothing. It is a non-issue because no-one has come in for him. As of January 14, nobody has phoned about him – 100 per cent."

Lita has not scored a Barclays Premier League goal for 11 months and has just one so far this season, But Coppell always uses cup games as a vehicle to give fringe men run-outs.