TOTTENHAM are poised to snatch Robbie Keane from under the noses of Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

As Peter Reid warned the Premiership that Kevin Phillips will be back to his best in the coming season, the Sunderland manager was facing up to the prospect of missing out on Keane.

Steve McClaren, too, is eager to bring Keane to the North-East - but with Blackburn also in the hunt the Republic of Ireland striker wants to move to Tottenham.

Spurs director of football David Pleat confirmed: "We're keeping abreast of the Robbie Keane situation."

Leeds have received three formal bids - from Sunderland, Tottenham and Middlesbrough - of between £8m and £10m, while Blackburn have asked to be kept informed of his situation.

But with 22-year-old Keane having turned down a move to the Stadium of Light three weeks ago after the two clubs agreed a fee for the forward, Spurs are the clear favourites for his signature.

Reid's year-long search for a proven striker to take some of the weight off Phillips has been a fruitless one, with Lilian Laslandes and Patrick Mboma failing to establish themselves at Sunderland.

Leeds manager Terry Venables is willing to sell Keane, with fit-again Michael Bridges ready to augment a frontline that also comprises Mark Viduka, Alan Smith and Harry Kewell.

But the snub Keane delivered to Sunderland earlier this month indicates his unwillingness to head for Wearside.

McClaren would like to add another striker to his squad, with Massimo Maccarone yet to prove himself in top-flight football, Alen Boksic's fitness worries a constant concern and Szilard Nemeth failing to adapt to the Premiership last season.

But Keane has his heart set on playing for Spurs if, as expected, he becomes a victim of cash-strapped Leeds' cost-cutting programme.

The Elland Road club's need to clear the decks to bankroll a major spending spree means Gary Kelly could become Reid's latest summer acquisition.

Kelly, 28 earlier this month, is available for around £3m and is one of the Sunderland manager's biggest targets.

With Bernt Haas on the transfer list, Reid is keen to bring a right-back to the Stadium of Light, and he recently missed out on Kenny Cunningham when the Irishman joined Birmingham.

Meanwhile, Reid reckons Phillips can recapture the form that saw him score 30 goals in his debut Premiership season now he has shaken off a long-term stomach injury.

Phillips underwent surgery over the summer and will step up his return to fitness by making his first pre-season appearance against Belgian side St Truiden on Sunday.

The England striker scored 12 goals last season - a total that reflected his injury problems and Sunderland's struggle against relegation.

But Reid said: "I think we'll see the real Kevin Phillips this season. He's looking bright and bubbly.

"Kevin did really well for the club when he wasn't 100 per cent fit in a lot of the games he played. But our medical people say his operation has fixed everything.

"He's worked hard on his fitness, and he looks really fit and strong. He wasn't involved in any ball work in France last week, but he'll be ready for Sunday's game."

Sunderland are still waiting to learn whether they will be without Gavin McCann for the start of the Premiership season.

McCann was sent off for a two-footed tackle on Amiens' Fabrice Abriel during Saturday's 2-1 friendly defeat in France.

Sunderland must now hope the match referee does not recommend that McCann should serve a domestic suspension.

An FA spokesman said: "Any player who is going to be banned will find out well before the start of the season, but there is no time limit."

A young Sunderland side last night won 2-1 at Berwick