Boss Roy Keane says players he has worked with before are very much in his mind as he begins the process of strengthening his squad ahead of 2009/10. Already plenty of Keane's former team-mates or players from his time as manager at Sunderland have been mentioned in connection with the Blues.

Keane told the club site: "I do like to go down the route of going for players that I know a little bit about, something about their personalities and that will probably continue.

"It might be players that I have managed before, players that have been in the opposition when I've been a manager or maybe players that I have played with.

"Hopefully, it will be an interesting summer for the club. It will be big one and, if we can do a deal with the players I want, then great. If not, then we will back away and be patient.

"It's important to get the right characters in. That's the main thing. There are some talented players here already and I've been pleasantly surprised but we need a bit more to have a chance of getting out of this league."

From Keane's Sunderland squad skipper Dean Whitehead, young midfielder Jordan Henderson, striker David Healy and others have been linked, while Manchester United winger Lee Martin is also claimed to be a target.

Keane was at last Tuesday's 2-1 Celtic victory over Dundee United and has been linked with former team-mates Paul Hartley, who was playing in that game, and Bobo Balde, who wasn't.

Meanwhile, current Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia has denied a report linking him with a backroom job under Keane at Portman Road: "I haven't had any communication at all."

Sbragia was amongst Keane's staff at the Stadium of Light, although recent comments from the pair have suggested that relations are far from cordial.

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