Keane intervention the key for Stokes

Sunderland yesterday won a three-way fight to sign Arsenal's 18-year-old Irish striker Anthony Stokes, with the teenager saying that he opted for the Championship side over Celtic and Charlton because of the personal intervention of Roy Keane.

Stokes, who has signed a three-and-a-half year deal for a fee of £2m, had offers from Celtic and Charlton, but said, "I spoke to Roy Keane about everything. He told me his hopes for the club, and it made up my mind." Stokes could make his debut this weekend, against Ipswich.