Black Cats boss chances it with Rory.

Byline: By Paul Gilder

Roy Keane is hoping Rory Delap does not come back to haunt Sunderland after granting the midfielder permission to line up against the Black Cats at the Britannia Stadium this evening, writes Paul Gilder.

The 30-year-old joined Stoke on a three-month loan basis last week and, although the Wearsiders could have made it a condition of the deal that Delap could not play against his parent club, Keane opted not to include what has become a common clause in the contract.

The former Republic of Ireland international made a triumphant start to his Potters career as he helped his new team-mates record a 4-0 win at Elland Road at the weekend.

Having found himself surplus to requirements at the Stadium of Light, Delap (pictured right) will be determined to inspire a similar result this evening. It is a prospect that does not overly concern Keane, who last night said: "You can stop loan players from playing but I felt that was wrong.

"Rory has been as good as gold since I came to the club and has not caused one bit of hassle. I don't think I have any right to begrudge a player a game.

"The whole point of him going to Stoke was to play games and I didn't want to stop him doing that so he is available to play."

It remains to be seen whether Delap will ever return to the North-East. But, with the versatile schemer keen to make his temporary transfer a permanent one when his loan contract expires in the New Year, it is clear that he believes his future does not lie on Wearside.

It is to those ends that Keane has agreed to allow him to line up against Sunderland this evening and, having decided that the player is not in his plans, the Black Cats boss could not have been more fair.

Yet it is a strategy laden with obvious risks and Delap will be determined to prove a point to his former international team-mate.

Andy Welsh last night followed Delap and Jonathan Stead out of the Stadium of Light as he rejoined Leicester on loan for the second successive season. The winger has joined Sunderland's Championship rivals initially until the end of December and could line up against Leeds this evening.

"I wanted him last week but we couldn't get it done in time," said Leicester boss Rob Kelly, who is expected to pursue a permanent deal in January.

"Now we have and I am pleased it has been sorted out. I think Andy will help us. He can play on both wings, I know him, he knows us and he wants to play."

Welsh has been a peripheral figure at the Stadium of Light since arriving from Stockport and, given that he has not made a first-team appearance since the final match of last season, his departure will not weaken the Wearsiders. While the Black Cats have spent recent days shipping players out, Stoke boss Tony Pulis has been adding to his first-team squad and, with Delap joining Lee Hendrie and Salif Diao at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke will start as favourites this evening.

"New players always lift a club," said Keane.

* SUNDERLAND supporters have been urged not to spend any money at the Britannia Stadium this evening in protest at Stoke's decision to raise ticket prices for visiting Black Cats fans.

The Potters will charge the Wearside contingent pounds 5 more than the followers of any of their other Championship rivals.

Officials of the Manchester branch of Sunderland's Supporters Club are leading attempts to ensure that the red-and-white ranks do not contribute further to the Stoke coffers by buying food, drinks and programmes at tonight's game.