The 28-year-old Finland international was one of four Spurs men targeted by Keane during the summer, and like Pascal Chimbonda and Steed Malbranque - Younes Kaboul turned down the chance to head for Wearside - was sold on his plans for the future.

Four and a half months on, the Wearsiders sit mid-table in the Premier League, although so fine are the margins between success and failure this season that just two points separate them in 11th place from Blackburn in 18th.

However, Tainio for one is confident progress is being made as they head into Sunday's clash with West Ham, at the Stadium of Light.

Tainio said: "That was the one reason I came here, because I really had a feeling the club wants to move forward.

"We have had lots of new players come in and that it is never easy. But that's not an excuse, lots of teams change players.

"We have some important league games coming up. This is an important part of the season, so we have to be ready for it."

Having already faced four of the current top five - Liverpool, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Chelsea - in their 13 league matches to date and come away with just a single point to show for their efforts, Sunderland now face a run of games against some of the division's lesser lights.

The Hammers are 14th, a point adrift of their hosts, while 13th-placed Bolton and bottom side West Brom provide the opposition in two of the following three matches.

However, for Tainio, there are personal, as well as collective targets to be achieved over the weeks to come.

The Finn arrived in the North-East with the memories of Spurs' Carling Cup triumph last season still fresh in his mind, although frustration, rather than elation, has been his overriding emotion since.

Thigh and shoulder injuries since have severely limited his opportunities, and he has managed just five starts and one substitute appearance for the club.

However, he was in the team which ended a run of four successive defeats with a 2-1 win at Blackburn last weekend, and will now hope for an extended run and a chance to prove himself to the red and white faithful.

Tainio said: "I have been enjoying my time. The only problem is I haven't played as much as I would have wanted.

"In the first game of the season, I got the thigh problem. I came back and then I had the shoulder problem.

"It is frustrating watching the lads from the stand, but now I am fit again, and hopefully it stays that way.

"Now I have got my chance, I have to take it. We have have to work hard for the manager so everybody is fit and ready to play."

Carlos Edwards will hope for another chance after rediscovering his form on loan at Wolves.

The 30-year-old was recalled earlier this week with Keane admitting Kenwyne Jones' return from injury has increased the need to produce high-quality service from wide areas.

Edwards, Jones and veteran midfielder Dwight Yorke were in the Trinidad and Tobago side which beat Cuba 3-0 in midweek, and their manager is hoping the long fight back from the Caribbean will not have taken too much of a toll.