ROY KEANE fears international week may have taken its toll on some of his players and he will not be afraid to wield the axe if players underperform in training on their return.

As well as Scottish pair Craig Gordon and Russell Anderson, the Black Cats also have players in the Wales and Republic of Ireland squads in Danny Collins and Daryl Murphy. But Irish Under-21 international Anthony Stokes has caused a stir after failing to turn up for last night's friendly with Germany.

Stokes has infuriated Under-21s coach Don Givens, while Sunderland boss Keane has also been associated with the fiasco.

Stokes was lambasted by Givens after failing to notify the Irish of an 'unspecified injury' he picked up at Wigan.

"I rang Anthony on his mobile to ask him where he was and he said 'I'm in Dublin, did the boss not get in touch with you?'" said Givens. "I told Anthony that I'd heard nothing and he said 'well I picked up a knock and the boss said he would sort it'. My reaction was that was also his responsibility to phone me. I'm very disappointed to find myself in this position."

Keane's priority, though, remains trying to ensure Sunderland make a positive impact in the Premier League after below-par showings at Wigan and Birmingham City.

He was furious after the 3-0 collapse at the Latics on Saturday and is determined to see a marked improvement when Liverpool arrive this weekend.

Keane will almost certainly make changes to the side, although he admits if any of his players are showing signs of fatigue after the international break, he will omit them.

"We will use this week to reflect on what happened on Saturday. A few of the lads will go away with the international squads and we will see how it pans out," said Keane. "Hopefully those who are away won't all play 90 minutes.

"You can't really tell until the Thursday or Friday whether or not the break has taken its toll. If it has I will have to decide how that affects my thinking for the team.

"We will be up against Liverpool next weekend who will be in a similar position but they are a bigger club with a bigger squad, that's what we are trying to do, build a bigger squad so we can cope."