Sunderland boss Roy Keane believes their Premier League fate is in their own hands despite losing 2-0 to rivals Newcastle in Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby.

The gap between the Black Cats and safety was slashed to five points but Keane is determined they can secure their status in the last three games.

"We tend not to focus on the rest," he said. "I'd rather be five points clear.

"If we look after ourselves and get the points on the board then it's irrelevant what the other teams do."

Sunderland's preparations for the derby were affected by the late withdrawal of young defenders Jonny Evans and Phil Bardsley. But Keane was honest about their current status.

The type of player Phil Bardsley he is you know he'd have been involved Sunderland boss Roy Keane

"In credit to their players if there was any chance of them playing today they would have played," he rued.

"Jonny Evans is not our player so we can't take any risks and Bardsley, the type of player he is, you know he'd have been involved.

"He was just too sore and other players deserved their chance."