The Black Cats boss was the combatant in the centre of the park in many a derby game of his own, and reckons that it often where the match turns.

He said: "I always think the middle of the park is where the game comes to the fore.

"If you can win the mental and physical battles in the middle of the park then there's a good chance that you're going to win it elsewhere.

"Newcastle will have their threat up front, where they're playing three men in most games, so that will present its own challenge.

"But we have to look to midfield and win it there as much as possible."

One player that Keane will be looking for to lead by example is Dean Whitehead.

He said: "Senior players have an important role to play in these games, and no one more than the captain.

"Dean has done very well for us recently.

"He'll be up against top players like Joey Barton and Nicky Butt, but he wants to be a top player himself.

"He's got a very good all-round game, but we've been asking him to get involved in the final third more, and he seems to be taking that on board.

"I've said that if you want to be a top midfielder at this level then you have to have goals in you, and he seems to be listening to us.

"He did well to get into the box against Fulham the other week and set up Kenwyne Jones for a goal, and last week he got a very good goal himself.

"We will need him and the other senior players to be at their best because it will be a very demanding game, but also a chance for our players to make names for themselves.

"People can carve out a lasting reputation for themselves in these parts if they do well in the derby.

"And that has to be an incentive for every player in our squad going into Sunday's game."