The 25-year-old Hungary international was handed his first appearance of the season in Sunday's 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal, and turned in an impressive display.

However, he has spent much of the current season out on loan, first at Leicester and then Stoke, as £9m summer signing Craig Gordon has cemented his place as No 1 at the Stadium of Light.

The Budapest-born player was on the Black Cats' bench as the campaign entered its final weeks with Darren Ward injured, and was finally given his chance against the Gunners after impressing the manager with his attitude.

However, Keane knows Fulop is desperate for regular first-team football as he attempts to keep himself in the international picture.

He said: "I just fancied giving Marton a game. I know Marton has been frustrated for the last one or two months.

"He is very keen to go and play first-team football - I know he is under pressure from his international manager.

"But he has been an absolutely brilliant pro. It is still a big 'if' if he is to leave the club, we will have to wait and see.

"I just thought it was right to give him a game to show what a top goalkeeper I think he is. It was nice to see him in that environment.

"But I didn't give him a game for the sake of it. I know he is a top goalkeeper and I knew he wouldn't let us down, and he didn't."

Fulop joined Sunderland from Tottenham in November 2006, initially on loan, as Ben Alnwick moved in the opposite direction.

He made five appearances in the club's triumphant Coca-Cola Championship campaign, but Gordon's arrival from Hearts last summer saw him slip in the pecking order.