ANDREW COLE has paid the ultimate compliment to Roy Keane by suggesting the Irishman is well on his way to replicating the model of Premier League champions Manchester United at Sunderland.

Cole has only been around to see Keane's managerial methods in action since agreeing to sign a 12-month contract on August 24, but during that time he has been suitably impressed.

The pair spent almost seven years together at Old Trafford after Cole completed a controversial move from Newcastle United in 1995, so he knows how his former captain approaches life.

And in the short space of time he has worked under Keane the manager, the former United striker has come to realise he is as methodical and precise as he was during his playing career.

It is that style which has helped Cole to quickly settle into life on Wearside, despite having to shake off a calf injury which has restricted him to just one reserve team appearance.

Keane has made wholesale changes to the backroom staff since taking charge 13 months ago, when he inherited a confidence-drained set of players who had little idea in which direction the club was heading.

Pictures depicting yesteryear and former glories have been hung on corridors, the club's scouting staff instructed to wear club ties on duty and a new level of attention to detail on the training field has all played a part.

And now, with Sunderland looking to make further impact in the Premier League in Saturday's Tees-Wear derby at Middlesbrough, Cole feels everything is being done correctly at the Stadium of Light.

"If I'm being completely honest, there have been few surprises for me since I came," said Cole, who is hoping to make the bench against Boro. "He is just as motivated now as he was when he was a player to get the job done right.

"He has transformed into the manager that I would have expected him to from the days I knew him as a player.

"It's all very thorough and very professional, you can see that from the moment you walk into the place. It's a mini-Man United really. It doesn't matter what it is, the manager has tried to do it."

Having forged one of the most formidable striking partnerships in Premier League history with Dwight Yorke at United, it is no surprise to learn Cole spoke to his old friend before agreeing terms with Sunderland.

Yorke, of similar age and repute, made the move to the North-East from Australian side Sydney in August last year and immediately set about delivering promotion to the top-flight at the first attempt under Keane.

Given Sunderland are in the Premier League this season, a different scenario faces Cole, but he remains optimistic he can achieve relative success before his contract expires next summer.

"I spoke to Dwight and he asked me what I was up to," said Cole, who will be 36 on October 15. "After talking things over with the manager it went from there.

"I knew Sunderland had just been promoted and that this was going to be a tough season. But when you get to a certain stage of your career you want to thrive on things like that. I love a challenge."

After leaving United for Blackburn in December 2001, Cole had spells with Fulham, Manchester City and Portsmouth, before closing last season on loan at Birmingham.

After returning to Pompey, he agreed to have his contract terminated. There were options for him to drop down a division or go abroad, but Cole was intent on staying in the top tier of English football.

Having done so, he is determined to ensure that Sunderland will help him to add to the 187 goals he has scored in the Premier League - only Alan Shearer has more.

"I want to get 200 Premier League goals. That is a big personal goal of mine and coming to a place like this, playing with youth and experience, is going to help."

Keane has handed a 12-month contract to New Zealand defender Jack Pelter, who was originally given a short-term deal. Stanislav Varga, meanwhile, has undergone a knee operation and has been ruled out of action for two months.