ROY KEANE hopes to capitalise on Danny Higginbotham's contract dispute at Stoke City by landing the versatile defender at the second time of asking.

Keane has already had a £2m bid turned down by the Potters, but is ready to return with an improved offer.

And there is a feeling that Stoke are now willing to do business for a fee between £2.5m and £3m, having become frustrated with his demands for a new contract.

After Keane's initial offer was rejected at the Britannia Stadium, Higginbotham is thought to have gone in and asked for a pay rise to reflect Stoke's valuation.

However, talks have been stalled and he was left out of the Stoke squad last weekend.

The official line was Higginbotham was injured, although the fact Stoke have snapped up former Sunderland defender Jody Craddock from Wolves suggests they are planning for life without their club captain.

Keane's need for a new defender has become more apparent after Paul McShane was injured at Wigan on Saturday.

McShane has had to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad for tomorrow's international with Denmark after needing ten stitches to a head wound.

Keane hopes to have him available for this weekend's visit of Liverpool to the Stadium of Light.

Former Manchester United defender Higginbottom, who was at Old Trafford during Keane's time, is viewed by the Sunderland manager as the ideal candidate to slot in at left-back.

But it is unclear how willing Higginbotham would be to play that role, given how he demanded a move from Southampton a year ago for that reason. He prefers to play in the middle and would offer competition.

Keane remains in the hunt for a new striker and is determined to land one before Liverpool arrive on Wearside on Saturday.

Andy Cole remains the most likely arrival, after watching the defeat at Wigan from the stands.

Talks are at an advanced stage for the 35-year-old, who is available on a free after leaving Portsmouth and it was claimed he had a medial yesterday.