ROY Keane may not recall a precocious teenager calling at his house in Cork five years ago but he admits he is well aware of how dangerous Billy Clarke can be.

By Derek Davis

ROY Keane may not recall a precocious teenager calling at his house in Cork five years ago but he admits he is well aware of how dangerous Billy Clarke can be.

After visiting Portman Road for a successful trial, 13-year-old Clarke marched up to the house that Keane had bought his parents, a half-mile from the Clarke family home, and knocked on the door to tell him that he, too, was going to be a professional footballer.

A couple of years later Clarke joined Ipswich's Academy and last month signed a three-year deal at Portman Road to make the prediction come true.

On the eve of Sunderland's trip to Portman Road, their manager Keane claims he doesn't remember the incident but also admits his memory is not that good.

He said: “Billy Clarke knocking on my door? I don't remember that but then I don't remember last week. It'd be nice to meet up with him, maybe I should have carried on a bit longer to play against him. I'll look forward to that.”

While Keane may have forgotten the visit to his mother's house, he is aware of the goal threat the 18-year-old carries.

Keane said: “I'll take the time to have a chat with him, of course I will, he's one of my own from Cork. I've heard of him and I've heard some very good things about him.

“He's got a few goals this season, but we'll have him looked at and sussed out.”

With three wins and a draw, including a goal from former Manchester United midfielder Liam Miller, Keane insists Sunderland have their own bit of Cork for Town to worry about.

He said: “I'm looking at my own team, though. A lot of young players coming through from that area, we've got Liam here, so Cork's a good area for that.”

Ipswich are hoping to have Gavin Williams and Simon Walton fit after injury while Fabian Wilnis remains a doubt.

Sunderland are likely to be without David Connolly, Daryl Murphy, Steve Caldwell and Stephen Elliott.

n The Blues have provisionally agreed to play Brechin City as part of the Scottish League Division Two club's centenary celebrations on Thursday, October 5, at the 3,960-capacity Glebe Park.