Boss Keane admits: I do not enjoy my job

The Black Cats visit Selhurst Park on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run. Victory against Peter Taylor's side would put the club level on points with Colchester United, who occupy the last play-off spot, although the Us play tomorrow.

The change of fortunes since Keane took over has been remarkable.

The Wearsiders were bottom but one when the former Manchester United skipper joined the club just under four months ago, but now they are within touching distance of the promotion pack.

Yet, despite the relative success Keane has enjoyed in his inaugural season in charge, he has made known he isn't enjoying being the boss.

"There are parts you don't particularly enjoy, and others you do enjoy, but the whole package no, I don't enjoy," said a forthright Keane who is looking to guide Sunderland to a first league victory against the Eagles in south London for 25 years. "It's like life in general.

"Managers never seem to use the word enjoyment and the one or two I've spoken to say it only gets worse. God knows why I do it, it's a challenge."

He added: "You get moments like last week with the late equaliser (at Burnley). You get that brief bit of enjoyment for 30 seconds, like a player, but then you're back to focusing on the next game.

"The challenge of being a manager is completely different. You're looking at all aspects. There's something going on every single day and you're just too busy to enjoy it. When you're on the phone you're speaking to agents and all of that stuff is not my cup of tea, but it's part of my job."

Keane acknowledges he is still learning his trade and admits to dropping the odd gaffe during the first few weeks.

"I sat in the canteen one day with a few of the players when I shouldn't have done," he reflected. "Stuff like that in my first few weeks was a mistake. Afterwards I thought no, I was kicking myself, I thought I can't be doing that and I've not done it since.

"It's about making that break from the players. That's the only real error I've made in terms of keeping my distance from the players.

"Even now I still have my moments thinking I want to sit with the players."

He quipped: "I think the staff are happy with that as well. I usually sit on my own. I used to do that with United and Ireland.

"I think I need to get room service in my office!"

With Sunderland approaching the first game of their hectic festive programme this evening, Keane revealed he had planned to spend Christmas with his family partaking in activities that he was banned from doing when he was a player.

"Obviously Sunderland came calling and it was a great opportunity," said the Black Cats boss who acknowledged his children have now switched their Manchester United allegiances to Sunderland. "I've no regrets, it's brilliant and Sunderland was definitely the right job for me but I'm too busy to enjoy it.

"I fancied doing a bit of skiing with my kids. I thought I might go to Australia over Christmas, all of these plans, stuff you couldn't do when you were a player. It just goes to show you, if you want to give God a laugh, then tell him your plans.

"My kids are paying for it really, they've not had chance to go skiing! They're the ones losing out."

Keane also believes Sunderland's fans are losing out after being asked to travel to another away fixture in the capital.

The Black Cats faithful have turned out in their thousands away from home this term, but Keane questioned the logic of those who compile the fixture list.

He said: "We hope we have a good following down there but I'd like to know who looks at these fixtures for us because to be going to Crystal Palace on a Friday night before Christmas is something that needs to be looked at.

"We've been to QPR on a Tuesday and Wolves on a Friday but we've had good followings at both."

Keane is without Stephen Elliott (hamstring), Kenny Cunningham (knee) and Stephen Wright (ankle) for the visit to Palace who have won only once in their last five fixtures, but Nyron Nosworthy has been declared fit