Sunderland boss Roy Keane has singled out Nicky Butt as Newcastle United's major threat ahead of the Northeast derby.

The Irishman said: "You always reflect on players you have played with and when you are sitting in that dressing room before you go into a game, whether you are in Turkey, Arsenal or Liverpool, and you look around and see Nicky Butt next to you, I'm telling you, he is a good lad to have next to you.

"We had some good battles in training. It was great. I have a lot of time for Nicky.

"He is playing well and if people like Alan Smith and Damien Duff aren't getting in your team, you must have a good team."