Whitehead could figure at Falkirk on Thursday evening as Keane takes his side north of the border for Andy Lawrie’s testimonial game.

And with Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Carlos Edwards and Stanislav Varga also in contention for a run-out, Keane’s squad at last is approaching the kind of depth for which he invested more than £35m this summer.

The Corkman will go back into the transfer market when the January window opens, but in the meantime, he is happy at the prospect of regaining both quality and experience in the shape of his recovering casualties.

Keane said: “I never thought for one minute we would go through the whole season without injuries and suspensions, but because they have come so quick and fast, that has probably caught us out a little bit.

“We are not feeling sorry for ourselves, far from it, but hopefully, we might get lucky at Christmas and Easter.

“I would like to have the headache of having 20-odd players to select from, because I have not really had any major headaches on that side of it.

“In a sense, the team has been picking itself. That’s why we need to strengthen, and why the players we look to bring in in January will be slightly more experienced players who know the course of the Premier League.”

Whitehead’s return in particular will come as a huge boost to Keane, who feared at one stage he could be without his influential midfielder and captain for most of the season.

The former Oxford player, who has also operated as an emergency right-back for the Black Cats, was sidelined just two games into the Barclays Premier League season with a ligament injury which looked likely to keep him out for at least six months.

However, tests revealed surgery was not required as the damaged started to repair itself under the careful scrutiny of Whitehead’s specialist and the club’s medical team, and his recovery has continued apace ever since.

Keane said: “The Falkirk game could be ideal for Dean in terms of him getting his match boots back on. He could be involved.

“He has trained well for the last few weeks and all being well, he is ready to step it up with a proper game.”

Whitehead’s return would represent as big a boost as Edwards’ appearance in Saturday’s 1-1 derby draw with Newcastle.

The 29-year-old Trinidad and Tobago international lasted the full 90 minutes in his first game since the 2-2 draw at Birmingham on August 15 in which he tore his hamstring.

Yorke has missed the last four games with a calf problem, while a similar injury has prevented former Manchester United team-mate Cole form making a senior debut for the club, and both 36-year-olds could be involved against the Bairns.

There could be a chance too for former Celtic defender Stanislav Varga, 35, who was not so fortunate as Whitehead and had to undergo knee surgery.

Keane told the club’s official website, www.safc.com: “Stan Varga is back in training – has been for a week or so – and he could be available; and there could be other first-teamers involved.

“We will decide nearer the time. You do have to keep players ticking over.

“There are a few players in the first team squad who have not had that many minutes on the pitch. It is vital that we keep their sharpness up as well.”