The Suffolk side made their intentions clear last April when they sacked Jim Magilton for failing to reach the play-offs and in former Manchester United captain Keane they have certainly found a manager who shares their ambition.

Owner Marcus Evans has made money available to Keane this summer but a slow pre-season has only seen QPR defender Damien Delaney and Manchester United winger Lee Martin arrive as major recruits.

But Keane is confident of adding to his squad ahead of the opening league game at Coventry on August 9 and expects a stiff challenge from the clubs relegated from the top flight last season.

He said: "I took over last season with two games to go and we had a few players missing due to injury, so I am taking stock very quickly of what we have and what we don't have.

"It's going to be difficult to get one or two out of the Premier League because of the prices and wages so there is lots to consider.

"People are quick to tell me how much I spent at Sunderland but in the first few months I bought Dwight Yorke, Liam Miller, Stan Varga, Ross Wallace, Graham Kavanagh and Dave Connolly and I think I spent about £4.5million on them.

"Then in the January window I brought in Carlos Edwards for £1.3million and I got Danny Simpson and Jonny Evans on loan.

"So I spent about £6million and if I can spend about £6million here and get this team promoted I'll be very pleased.

"Over the last few years you look at the teams who got relegated from the Premier League and generally two of the three bounce straight back so Newcastle, Middlesbrough and West Brom will be looking to go back up.

"You have Cardiff, who just missed out on the play-offs, Sheffield United, too, but I'd like to think we'll be in the mix, if I can get a few more players in."

Keane's first season at the Stadium of Light saw the club win the Championship in 2007 and he has been handed the task of repeating that feat within the two years of his contract.

Town finished eight points adrift of the play-offs last season but if Keane can add to the strong spine of Richard Wright, Gareth McAuley, David Norris and Jon Stead then they should be in contention come next spring.

"It's going to be a real test in the Championship with some tough away games and we'll find out what the players are like then," said Keane.

"Some will inevitably fall by the wayside, it happens in football, but it's a challenge I'm looking forward to and so should the players."

Should his players complain their schedule is too demanding, Keane will have a word of caution ready for them.

He said: "There is no comparison between playing and managing - nothing will ever come close to playing. Playing was a doddle."