Keane deal won't open floodgates

Leading football agent Jon Smith insists that Roy Keane's new contract with Manchester United will not open the floodgates for over-inflated demands by players and their representatives.

Smith, who is currently renegotiating Kanu's contract at Arsenal, credits United's business acumen for keeping Keane at the club.

"The Keane deal has meant some good headlines for some people but I don't believe it has opened the floodgates," Smith said.

"As I understand it, Keane does not exceed the top paid player by that much. It is topped off with a big signing on fee which is normal at the beginning of most contracts.

"The alternative was that they would have to go out and buy someone like Rivaldo who would have cost them a lot more with his wages and transfer fee. So I believe it is good business."

But Smith believes that the biggest "problem" concerning players' salaries will appear with speculation regarding the next television contract, which is due for renewal in 2001.

A figure of £1 billion has already been reported for the package but Smith and other leading agents have begun taking the steps to prevent serious financial damage to the game.

"There are issues which will dominate soccer for the next year. One will be the further integration of European Super Leagues, referees, technology and players' wages - not necessarily in that order," Smith said.

"If there is a problem looming on players' wages, it is when we see talk of a £1 billion plus television contract during the next 12 months.

"That is a wage spiral waiting to happen. There are a lot of agents and representatives of players saying `Hang on, they're getting £1 billion. I want some of that'."

Kevin Kilbane is licking his lips at the prospect of providing the ammunition for deadly Sunderland strike force Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn.

The winger (22) is in the squad for tomorrow's Premiership clash with Southampton at the Stadium of Light after completing his £2.5 million move from West Brom and admits the thought of linking up with Peter Reid's hitmen is a dream come true.

Kilbane is a Republic of Ireland team-mate of Quinn, and has little doubt about the quality of the other half of the partnership, currently one of the Premiership's hottest properties.

"When I first got into the international team a couple of years ago, Niall helped me settle in well there and he's helping me settle in here tremendously," he said.

Mark Hughes was yesterday officially appointed as the new manager of Wales. The Southampton star's installation as Bobby Gould's successor was confirmed by the FA of Wales at a full council meeting in Llangollen.