Former Manchester United and Ireland captain Roy Keane has agreed terms to take over as manager of second division Sunderland, the club said on Sunday.

Keane, 35, is expected to sign a contract after Monday's match against West Bromwich Albion, a statement on the Sunderland Web site said.

"Roy Keane visited Sunderland today where he met with players and officials from the club," the statement read.

It would be Keane's first managerial position after ending his 18-year playing career, which also included spells at Celtic and Nottingham Forest, in June.

Sunderland, relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season, are bottom of the second division.

Niall Quinn, Keane's former Ireland team mate, has been working in the dual role of manager and chairman after a consortium he led bought a controlling interest in the club last month.

Sunderland have started the season in woeful fashion, losing their opening four league matches as well as being knocked out of the League Cup by fourth division Bury last Tuesday.