Marton Fulop could be set to join Championship table-toppers Stoke City on loan.

Roy Keane has today confirmed he is prepared to let the Hungarian goalkeeper join the Potters after Darren Ward returned to full training last week.

The Sunderland boss reckons a deal could go through over the weekend, although it's unlikely to be in time for Fulop to be available for Stoke's home game against Ipswich tomorrow.

"We might do a deal with Stoke for Marton over the weekend," revealed Keane.

"We've spoken to them over the last few days. Wardy is back in training now, so some time over the weekend we may possibly look to do a deal.

"I kind of have a gentleman's agreement with Marton that if a club comes in that suits everyone, we'll let him go, and I think it would be a good move for him in terms of getting some games under his belt.

"Craig is in good form and with the back-up of Wardy - and young Trevor (Carson) has been outstanding in the reserves - so we think it's probably a good deal.

"Sitting on the bench is not doing him any favours. We have to do what's best for Sunderland and the deal was on hold because there was no way we could let him out while Wardy was struggling with an injury.

"I've always tried to be fair to the players. Marton has spoken to his international manager and he needs to be playing games, I can understand that, but Marton has been first-class.

"But an opportunity has come up now and it's something we've got to look at."