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."

That's one thing about Roy that's become evident, he'll give his players a chance and if they're not up to the standards he expects he'll give them a chance to go on loan and it appears he does treat them fairly, even Clive Clarke!

I disagree with that. I think Keane has been very unfair to Fulop. He promised him games and then did not play him.

He is a perfectly capable keeper. Beginning of the season he put in an amazing performance against Juventus, and then was dropped once again.

He spent half a season on loan to Leicester who despite sitting low in the table have conceded the least goals in the Championship to date.

It's not about not being good enough. He has not even had an opportunity for our squad.

Agreed, i personally thought Fulop was good enough for us not to have to buy a new keeper in for the premiership. He is young and has proven that if given the games he is a very reliable and solid keeper! Keane said he was putting Fulop on loan so he could gain experience and even said he though he would have a future with Sunderland which was a blatent load of crap. Gordon has been playing well lately on a a whole, and Keane seems to even rate Ward higher than him. I don't know why because i really don't think it's fair but at the end of the day you can never second guess Keane.

During January Keane said a number of premiership clubs where in for Fulop which does not surprise me at all. I think we'd be stupid to let him go, yet again it isn't fair for us to keep him here and not give him games when he clearly has what it takes. I think it is only fair for us to sell him really, he is too good to be kept on a a bench or threw out on loan every now and then to the championship.

Just been confirmed.

A bit harsh don't you think? They could have let him play tonight then recalled him in plenty of time for the Derby match on Saturday.

Keane gets no benefit from that though. He'd rather have him back in training with us.