Tainio completed his move from Spurs last Wednesday while the Black Cats were in Portugal while the loose ends of Chimbonda's switch from White Hart Lane were tied up on Saturday. Both signed three-year deals for undisclosed fees.

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There is still no firm news of further progress with Keane's pursuit of Tottenham's Younes Kaboul and Steed Malbranque.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp said on Friday he expected centre-back Kaboul to join Pompey.

Tonight's trip to Ireland at least gives Keane the chance to introduce Finnish midfielder Tainio and French defender Chimbonda to the travelling fans.

The Sunderland boss said: "They've settled in and they'll be involved at Cobh."

Tonight's third pre-season game is a special one for Keane, who played for Cobh before Nottingham Forest paid Ramblers the princely sum of £47,000 for his services in 1990.

A glittering career followed, mainly in the colours of Manchester United of course, but Keane remembers his roots and is pleased to take Sunderland to meet Cobh at Cork City's Turners Cross (7.30pm kick-off).

Keane said: "I hope there will be a good crowd – the people of Cobh deserve it. They love their sport and their football there.

"You have a soft spot for all your old teams. I saw them playing about four weeks ago when I was back, they lost (5-0) to Cork City unfortunately, but that's what happens when you're young and experienced.

"You never forget where you come from. I had some great times there and hopefully Sunderland can help them out a bit.

"I speak to people there regularly who have been involved through the good times and difficult times, and I think at the moment they are probably having a difficult time, and that's when you need the support. There's some great people involved in Cobh.

"Hopefully people will turn out, not just from Cobh but from Cork as well.

"Cobh have got a lot of young players. They're struggling a bit at the moment - they are finding their feet just like we were last year."

After Dwight Yorke suffered a fractured cheekbone against Portuguese side Vitoria de Setubal last Wednesday, Keane hopes his squad comes through this evening unscathed.

"It's always good to go back and the League of Ireland teams have played a lot of games, so they will be fit," he said.

"I'll look to get one or two younger lads over with us, maybe Martyn Waghorn and Jack Colback, and we'll look to give them a game.

"Hopefully we'll avoid any injuries because Yorkie is worse than we thought at first."

Keane is not the only one having a homecoming.

Striker Roy O'Donovan returns to play at Turners Cross for the first time since signing from Cork last summer.

He said: "It should be a good game and I hope to be involved. I'll see a few old faces back to my old stamping ground. There'll be lots of family and friends there."