Roy Keane has said that he's hoping to get up to £70m to spend by Niall Quinn this summer.

Speaking before today's derby defeat at Newcastle, Keane hinted that he is willing to try his hand with big money signings again, having enjoyed mixed success in the past 12 months with the £5m-plus captures of Kieran Richardson, Michael Chopra, Kenwyne Jones and Craig Gordon.

Keane said: "I'd love Niall to give me a cheque for 50, 60 or £70million.

"What you find with all top managers is they're not afraid to stake their reputation on spending £15m to £30m on a player. I've reminded the chairman once or twice what it's going to cost and that will take care of itself in the summer.

"I'm sure I could spend £200m in the summer but you have to bring in the right players and the right quality. We know that when any quality player becomes available, the top teams are after him.

"But we have to learn from other teams, even Middlesbrough down the road and Newcastle over the years - they've brought in a Juninho or a Mirandinha, and it's got people off their seats. Newcastle and Middlesbrough have not just spent money, but brought in higher types of players because they've paid a lot more in wages than Sunderland. In the bigger picture, we're way behind.

"That's the mindset I'm fighting to change and I believe the people I'm working with are ready to do that."