Roeder rejects Duff reports

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Reports have suggested Keane will target his former Republic of Ireland team-mate during the summer but Roeder has insisted the 28-year-old, a £5million buy from Chelsea, is at St James' Park for the long haul.

He said: "The speculation surrounding Damien and a move to Sunderland is utter rubbish. There is not an ounce of truth in it. Damien is at Newcastle United for the long haul. He only signed a five-year contract last summer."

Duff has struggled to reproduce his best form since making the switch to Newcastle, and the process has not been helped by surgery to repair a damaged knee cartilage.

However, Roeder, who it was widely accepted had pulled off a coup when he persuaded the former Blackburn midfielder to head for the north-east, is confident there is more to come from him both during the remaining weeks of the current campaign and beyond.

He said: "He did not have a pre-season when he joined us from Chelsea and that always makes it difficult for a player as it means he is playing catch-up.

"He has now also got over the knee injury that has meant an interrupted first season here at St James' Park.

"In the last couple of games he has probably looked our best player, as well as being outstanding for Ireland in their last two games. I fully expect Damien to finish the last seven games of the season very strongly for us.

"I am putting a squad together here of my own players and players that I want to be here for the long haul, and Damien is one of those."