The Black Cats started the season with four straight league defeats and looked to have little chance of bouncing straight back into the top flight.

However, Keane's appointment as manager has inspired a turnaround with Yorke and Stern John grabbing the goals on Saturday to defeat promotion rivals West Brom.

Yorke opened the scoring before John doubled the lead after the break, with Darren Carter pulling a goal back in the Coca-Cola Championship clash at The Hawthorns.

"I thought Dwight would add a bit of quality, a bit of experience, a calm head, be good for the dressing room, and he's done all these things," said Keane.

"He has played at the top level. People question the age of him but he's had no major injuries. He's never been the quickest but he's quick with his brain."

The 2-1 victory moved Sunderland closer to the automatic promotion places with Birmingham moving back to the top following their win over Cardiff courtesy of Sebastian Larsson's winner at a rain-soaked St Andrews.

Steve Bruce's men took over at the summit from Derby, who thrashed Colchester on Friday evening.

Wolves also remain in the hunt for automatic promotion, although they made hard work of their 3-2 win at Luton.

Lewis Emanuel and Leon Barnett cancelled out Gary Breen's opener at Kenilworth Road, but Andy Keogh levelled matters and Karl Henry's hopeful effort slipped through the fingers of Hatters goalkeeper Marlon Beresford.

"We have only ourselves to blame," said Luton boss Mike Newell. "We have shown we can score goals but we should not have to score four to win."

Among the teams chasing a play-off place, Stoke drew 1-1 at Plymouth after Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's opener was cancelled out by Darel Russell.

Despite the draw, Stoke boss Tony Pulis said: "We are having a smashing season and we will not be giving up on the play-offs yet."

At the other end of the table, Leeds scored two late goals but were defeated 3-2 by Sheffield Wednesday, with the misery of defeat compounded by Kevin Nicholls wanting to return to Luton after less than a season at Elland Road.

"I told him he needed to think about what he was saying to me, but he'd made his mind up and felt he'd made the wrong decision in coming to Leeds," said boss Dennis Wise.

Leeds fell behind to goals from Marcus Tudgay, Chris Brunt and Jermaine Johnson, although Tudgay was dismissed in the second half.

The hosts pulled goals back through a Lee Bullen own goal and Richard Cresswell but Wednesday held on for the points.

Southend earned a point with a 2-2 draw against Leicester, with Alan McCormack grabbing a late equaliser for the Shrimpers.

Freddy Eastwood had scored Southend's first equaliser, while Iain Hume scored both of Leicester's goals.

"The desire is still there and we've got to keep plugging away and keep being positive," said Southend boss Steve Tilson. "The belief and spirit is still there and that showed."

Southend's points dragged them closer to QPR, who lost 2-1 at Ipswich.

"I am not too sure if some of them really appreciate the consequences of our situation," said QPR boss John Gregory, who saw Paul Furlong pull a goal back after Alan Lee and Jon Walters put Ipswich ahead.

"The opportunity for us was there to jump out of the bottom three."

Hull lost 2-0 at Coventry thanks to goals from Micky Doyle and Leon McKenzie, while Barnsley lost 3-1 at home to Norwich.

Elsewhere, Burnley and Crystal Palace drew 1-1 at Turf Moor, with Ade Akinbiyi cancelling out Clinton Morrison's opener.