Connor Johnson
The 20-year-old, who is on advance from Wolves, has seen his first-group open doors constrained as far back as the Saddlers gobbled up Russell Martin on a free exchange.
Be that as it may, with Martin falling unwell last Friday, Johnson was tossed into Walsall's beginning line-up for the visit of the Black Cats.
The middle back just discovered he was playing at 1pm yet proceeded to put in a telling execution at the core of the safeguard.
Furthermore, Keates was pleased with how he performed.
"I thought he (Johnson) was remarkable," the supervisor said. "Once in a while coming in finally can be something to be thankful for, now and again it very well may be an awful thing. Be that as it may, he faced the test and I can't talk sufficiently very of the chap.
"He has come in on credit from Wolves. He had just played in the Checkatrade. Yet, he just continues on ahead, he is one those where you can't pick blame with how he puts forth a concentrated effort."
Keates conceded he had a discussion with Johnson a week ago about his absence of playing time.
"I talked with him a week ago and let him know there might be half a month when he gets himself not even on the seat with what's occurred in the course of recent weeks," the manager proceeded. "Russ has come in and brought some understanding.
"In any case, he comprehended that. What's more, I said to him continue doing what you are doing in light of the fact that open doors can appear suddenly.
"Also, he got an open door against Sunderland and asserted some authority. He was superb."
Johnson is suspended for tomorrow's Checkatrade Trophy conflict with Shrewsbury in the wake of being sent off against Port Vale.
The diversion is the first of eight Walsall will play in December. Be that as it may, Keates says his squad can adapt to the exhausting timetable.
"It will be an occupied however we will manage it and prepare ourselves for Wednesday," he included. "We have a ton of bodies. We are youthful and we have a great deal of bodies."