Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has sent his best wishes to Roy Keane amid reports linking the former Manchester United midfielder to the vacant Sunderland job.
Sunderland are reportedly set to hold formal talks with Keane over the managerial vacancy at the Stadium of Light after the Black Cats sacked Lee Johnson at the weekend.
Keane first managed Sunderland, who sit third in League One, between 2006 and 2008, but left the club after his relationship with owner Ellis Short deteriorated.
Vieira, who had many entertaining battles with Keane when the pair played for Arsenal and Manchester United respectively, was asked about Keane's potential return to management in his pre-match press conference ahead of Crystal Palace's FA Cup fourth round clash against Hartlepool United.
Asked if he would like to see Keane back in management, Vieira said: "Yeah, I think deep inside him this is something that he will want to try again.
"And I think if there's opportunity there, I think he will. He will take it. And I will wish him good luck."
The Black Cats, now in their fourth season in the third tier, currently sit in third place in the table just two points off the automatic promotion places, but having played a game more than leaders Rotherham and three more than second-placed Wigan.
It's unclear at this stage if Keane will be given a chance to manage again, but if he is, Vieira may have the chance to come up against his long-time enemy once more.
