However, a remarkable recovery saw him return by the end of November, and he has been in the team ever since, gradually returning to his best form just when it matters most.

Whitehead scored his first goal of the season in the 2-1 defeat by Manchester City a fortnight ago, and Keane will hope he can lead by example as his side attempts to bounce back from last weekend’s demoralising derby defeat at Newcastle when Middlesbrough arrive at the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

Keane said: “In defence of Dean and one of two of my other players like Carlos (Edwards) and Andy Reid, they were coming into a team on the back of being out for a long, long time through injuries.

“It’s all well and good coming into a team when you can bed in when the team is playing really well and winning, which a lot of the big teams can do.

“But we are chucking lads straight in and asking them to produce week in, week out without even a reserve game, and that’s after being out for four or five months.

“In defence of Dean, it has taken him a bit of time, but in the last two or three weeks, his form has been excellent.

“His goal against Manchester City will help him. I have said many times before, he needs to add more goals to his game, and we saw that the other week.”

Keane has been unhappy with his side’s defending in each of their last two games, which have seen them concede two controversial penalties, but also contribute to their own downfall.

They were hampered at St James’ Park by the absence of Jonny Evans and Phil Bardsley through injury, and both remain doubts for a game in which they desperately need to halt their recent slide.

Should they fail to make it, Keane would face the prospect of reshuffling a rearguard which was cruelly exposed by Michael Owen and his colleagues.

Sunderland still need to mathematically secure their place in the top flight for next season, and Keane will not be content until they have done so – and maybe not even then.

He said: “I suppose the glass is always half-empty with me, people close to me will tell you that.

“Maybe that’s what drives me on and that’s what I enjoy. You cannot get carried away in this game.

“The time to enjoy it and make the most of it is when you are long gone and maybe retired. We have got so much hard work to do over the next few weeks.”