The Irishman will take his Sunderland side to Newcastle on Sunday for a derby clash which thrusts him into direct competition with a man who enjoys legendary status on Tyneside.

Keane would enhance his own blossoming reputation if he managed to return from St James' Park with a victory which would all but guarantee another Barclays Premier League campaign.

However, whether or not he manages to end the five-game unbeaten run which has seen Keegan's men drag themselves to the brink of safety in recent weeks, he is happy to see the irrepressible Yorkshireman back in management.

Keane said: "I was delighted to see him come back in, absolutely delighted.

"You see a lot of people in football, and a lot of people are maybe even losing their love for the game.

"I watched a reserve game the other night and it was absolutely shocking, just people going through the motions.

"What shouldn't be underestimated, and I am not being disrespectful, is Kevin's enthusiasm.

"It is absolutely brilliant and I love that. It was only a matter of time before they started getting back to winning ways.

"Football needs people like Kevin Keegan, trust me."

Keane was in the opposing camp when Keegan famously clashed with Sir Alex Ferguson as the league title slipped from his grasp in 1996, and was still in the red half of Manchester when he returned to management at City.

But having seen him at close hand he insists he knew it was only a matter of time before he started to make a difference in the wake of Sam Allardyce's departure in January.

Keegan had to wait nine games for his first win, but a return of 11 points from the last 15 on offer sends the Magpies into the derby brimming with confidence.

Keane said: "Any manager will tell you, it takes time. But unfortunately, managers do not get that time.

"Everyone needs to be patient and we are seeing that now even with Kevin Keegan. He has still only been back two minutes.

"But what Kevin Keegan has got, he has got great enthusiasm for the game and that is a vital component for any manager.

"The game can become very robotic, but what you see with Kevin is that he loves the game and that is rubbing off on his players.

"The players, particularly over the last few of weeks, seem to have been playing with great freedom and they seems to be really enjoying the game.

"If you want to be at the top, top level, you have got to enjoy being a footballer and you have got to enjoy the so-called pressures of the game.

"That's why you have seen Newcastle playing so well over the last few weeks."

Keane's men too have prospered in recent weeks, although their three-game winning run came to an end last Saturday when Manchester City won 2-1 at the Stadium of Light with the help of a controversial penalty.

Referees' chief Keith Hackett contacted Keane this week, although he was able to offer little consolation.

Keane said: "It was Keith who picked up the phone to me and we had a chat and basically he was apologising.

"I am not sure it makes much difference to our supporters, I am sure it doesn't."

Meanwhile, Keane revealed that midfielder Dickson Etuhu will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee ligament surgery earlier this week.