A year ago, the Black Cats plummeted out of the top flight with a record low 15 points and having won just three games, only one of them at the Stadium of Light.

However, having secured their return without kicking a ball when Derby lost at Crystal Palace yesterday, Keane, armed with a multi-million pound transfer kitty, is looking to make a major impact.

Wearside was buzzing today as fans who were left in the depths of despair at the end of last season recalled memories of the club's seventh-place finish at the first attempt back in 1999-2000, and Keane is happy to take that level of expectation on board.

He said: "I do not mind that. I would rather the fans had high expectations than low expectations, I have to say. That is great for them.

"We are going to the Premiership and you will not be hearing us saying 'if we finish fourth from bottom, it will be a good season'. Far from it.

"We are looking to go up there and make our mark. I believe we can do.

"Obviously, I will need to strengthen the squad and we will have a chance over the next few weeks to sit down with (chairman) Niall (Quinn) and (chief executive) Peter Walker and we will look at what is available.

"The hard work starts now - it started last night. There is no time to relax."

Keane learned of his side's promotion by a text message while he was out walking his dog Triggs, and celebrated with a mug of green tea.

However, while delighted at the turnaround he has inspired on Wearside in the last eight months, he is reluctant to take much of the credit.

He said: "It is a nice start and we just hope there are good things to come. But I have been saying it for the last few months, I have done very, very little and people need to remember that.

"The players, the fans, Niall and the Board and I have a big staff around me, they have done a fantastic job.

"I am quite happy for all of them to get the credit because, ultimately, it is the players who have got to go out and do the business, and I cannot praise them enough. They have been fantastic.

"It is a nice start, but if you think it's all down to me, then you are in cuckoo land, you really are.

"It does not come down necessarily to what I have done. I have come in and the players have maybe recognised the fact that I only play the game to win.

"Maybe they have picked up on the vibes from that.

"We were fortunate, we had a bit of luck - you need a bit of luck - but, ultimately, it comes down to the hard work of the players.

"They train extremely well. I have been lucky to work with lots of good people in my career, but these players have done themselves proud."

Derby's defeat made yesterday a big day for former Manchester United teammates Keane and Birmingham boss Steve Bruce, who will go head-to-head in the Premiership next season.

Keane, who caught up with Bruce earlier today to exchange congratulations, said: "We were both very lucky as players. We played under some great managers.

"I am one of the luckiest guys alive. Hopefully I have picked up a few things, not just from Alex Ferguson, but also Brian Clough and people back in Ireland.

"I am very fortunate. But obviously, I have got to make my own decisions and be my own man, and hopefully I can do a good job."

Keane will allow his players to enjoy their moment of glory for a couple of days, but it is little surprise that he is targeting even bigger things before the season ends.

Victory at Luton on Sunday, coupled with anything less for leaders Birmingham at Preston, will hand the Black Cats the Coca-Cola Championship title and that is the 35-year-old's only focus for the remaining days of a remarkable campaign.

Keane said: "We will have fans travelling down there and there is a chance for some of our players to get a medal.

"It would be nice to see Dean Whitehead lifting the trophy. We will have fans travelling down there and it is our duty to perform and do our best for them.

"We will be going all out to win it."