Yorke left hanging as Keane concentrates on Sunderland survival

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The Sunderland manager has delayed negotiations with veteran Dwight Yorke, who is hoping for a recall for his return to Aston Villa on Saturday.

One-track mind: Keane is only focused on survival

Yorke, 36, who was lured back from Sydney FC, has a number of offers from Australian clubs, but he has not ruled out another season at the Stadium of Light.

But his former Manchester United team-mate has told Yorke, and Ireland full-back Ian Harte to be patient.

Keane said: 'Contract talks and that sort of stuff are all out of the window until this season is over. Not everyone knows that but they do now.

'There will be a lot of the question marks over the lads whose contracts are up such as Yorkie, Hartey, Wrightie. There are a few in the same boat so they will just have to bide their time.'

Former Celtic winger Ross Wallace was put on the transfer list in January and has been out with a knee injury since. Mo Johnston is interested in taking him to the MSL with Toronto but the Scot, who was a revelation in Sunderland's promotion season, has been told he can still fight for a future on Wearside.

Keane added: 'Ross has done very well for the club and we can't forget that. Ross was one of the six players I signed in my first few days at the club. All these players have contributed and I don't forget that. But Ross like everyone else under the roof has got a chance and he is a good player.

'He is still on the transfer list. He had fallen behind like one or two other players and we felt that if something came in that suited the player and the club that we would consider it.

'I spoke to four or five players about it – it was all above board and was with their agreement – that if an offer came in that interested the player and the club then we would look at it. There is nothing more to it than that. There is nothing sinister.

'I'm pleased with the way the players have reacted.I'm finding different things about different players. Any decent player will see it as some sort of challenge. It's a challenge to see whether or not they want to stay here and be part of the plans for the future and that's fantastic.'