Sunderland boss Peter Reid has stepped up his bid to bring in new blood after admitting defeat in his chase for Leeds striker Robbie Keane.

Reid had a �9m bid for the 22-year-old accepted by the Yorkshire club earlier this month, only to learn within hours that the Irishman intended to stay put.

He never gave up hope and has pursued the player ever since, but Keane confirmed his decision to stay a Elland Road after talks with new United boss Terry Venables on Monday.

Now the Black Cats manager is looking elswhere.

"I don't really want to get involved in any big discussion about the situation," he told the Sunderland Echo from the club's training camp near Antwerp in Belgium.

"The simple fact is that he was a player we were very interested in, but no deal can be done at this present time, so that's that.

"I think everyone knows the position that we want to strengthen in, and the fact is that I'm looking at a number of possible targets.

"Obviously, it's frustrating at the moment, but we will keep on and I know we'll get players in."

Sunderland will now turn their attention to alternative targets, with Derby's Malcolm Christie and Espanyol frontman Raul Tamudo among the names to be linked with them in recent weeks.

Reid has been attempting for some time to find a partner for star man Kevin Phillips with player-coach Niall Quinn close to retirement.

Frenchman Lilian Laslandes was the big hope after his �3.6m arrival from Bordeaux last summer, but his career on Wearside has yet to come to life.

He was one of eight players told they could leave at the end of a disappointing campaign in May.

Cameroon international Patrick Mboma, who joined the club on loan from Parma during the final weeks of the season, did not fit the bill either.

With time running out, Reid will hope for some better news sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, the Black Cats will continue their preparations in Belgium with a game against Antwerp tomorrow night.

Phil Babb, one of three men to arrive on free transfers so far this summer, has already made a good impression in the club's pre-season games to date.

Brazilian Emerson Thome, who has teamed up with the former Liverpool man in both games, has been hugely impressed.

"I played with Phil briefly in the centre of defence in the Amiens game the other week as well as playing most of the game with him this week, and I've found it very comfortable playing with him," he said.

"He may have arrived on a free transfer, but there's no doubt that he's a quality player and a very good organiser at the back."