Roy Keane has used to the international break to take stock of Sunderland's start to the season.

The Black Cats have won eight points from seven games and sit 14th in the Premier League table and it is a satisfactory opening, according to Keane.

But with games against Fulham, Newcastle and Stoke to come, the Sunderland boss is expecting an improvement in the points return when the break is over.

"We are satisfied with the start but we'll have to kick on," Keane told SAFC TV. "You have to take into account the games we've had, the injuries we've had and the new players at the club.

"But it doesn't mean to say I will sit back and be content with averaging just over a point a game, we've got to raise the bar all the time.

"With the games coming up, with Kenwyne coming back, with the new lads settling in - we'd be wanting to move on. We have a busy couple of months ahead but we're looking forward to it."

The Premier League has something of an upside down look to it, with newly promoted Hull City in third place and Tottenham bottom with just two points.

"It's good for football," said Keane. "Not that Tottenham are bottom but in terms of the way Hull have come up and done well. It happened a few years ago when Reading first got promoted and it's great to see.

"It's going to be a long, hard season, we all know that, every team will have its ups and downs and I'm sure Hull will have disappointments along the way.

"I'm pretty sure, come the end of the season, which teams will be in the top four, I'd be very surprised if any team was to break into that.

"But in terms of the other positions, if Hull keep going there's no reason why they can't finish in the top half, that's where we are aiming to go."

Watch the exclusive interview on SAFC TV now