The Sunderland manager, after Saturday's 1-1 draw, said: "People mention the word 'survive' but I don't use that word.

"We are going up there to make our mark on the Premiership, that's all I'm thinking about.

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"It's going to be hard, of course it is, but, with the commitment the players have and the supporters behind them, I'm confident we'll have a team that will compete in the Premiership.

"The supporters will have a massive part to play – they'll need to get right behind us because there will be ups and downs on the way.

"But the players have always responded well to disappointments and we hope to do as well as we can.

"We just have to give our all and see where it takes us."

Certainly, Sunderland's performance against Juventus in the 1-1 draw at the weekend will have given players and supporters enormous heart.

And Keane's opposite number on Saturday, Claudio Ranieri, feels that the team can prosper in the top flight.

The former Chelsea boss, just three games into his Juve reign, said: "I think Roy can do well this season, because he is a character, a strong, good personality and also his team tried to play well, tried to play good football.

"I think Sunderland may be the surprise package of the Premiership and I wish Roy all the best.

"It is important that the manager do his best to find the best in all his players and I think Roy Keane has this quality."

Keane has no crystal ball and confesses he has no idea himself how the season will pan out for Sunderland.

But he does know that he can't wait to face the challenge ahead.
He said: "There are question marks over me, over my staff, my players but I don't mind that.

"I'm looking forward to it.

"Only time will tell how things work out – that's the beauty of football – I can't tell you whether it's survival or surprising people.

"But I can tell you that if we beat Tottenham on Saturday, I won't be jumping off the stands celebrating and if we lose we know it's not the end of the world.

"We're in the process of trying to build a club and that's what we're trying to do.

"I'm lucky that I've got the backing I have from people who just leave me to get on with it.

"Your biggest challenge is your next one and for us it is Spurs next week and I have to say that everyone at the club is looking forward to it.

"I want the fans to look forward to it to.

"We are playing teams like Juventus, like Spurs, who will hold a lot of possession, but possession doesn't win football matches.

"Juventus put the ball in the back of the net once.

"So did we.

"We are behind some teams that have been building for years in the Premiership, we know that, but we are working hard to catch up.

"And after this week's training, my thoughts are 'bring it on' – I'd rather be playing Spurs this week than a Championship team."