Tony Mowbray is confident that Sunderland will bring in a new attacker before the Ipswich Town clash.
Speaking to The Northern Echo, the Black Cats boss admitted his frustrations at the lack of transfer activity at the top of the pitch but revealed the club could welcome at least one new addition over the next week.
Sunderland snapped up Luis Hemir Semedo from Benfica last month, however he remains the only fit striker on their books ahead of their Championship opener against Ipswich.
The 19-year-old is yet to make his senior debut after featuring heavily for Benfica’s B team, whie he has so far impressed during Sunderland’s pre-season.
However, the forward is currently in line to start for the Black Cats next weekend due to Ross Stewart’s injury.
The Scot remains on the sidelines and may not return to the line-up until late September, leaving Tony Mowbray very short on options up top.
“I think we’ve got the nucleus of a team – probably even beyond the nucleus of a team,” Mowbray said.
“As I’ve been saying, I think we still need some additions at the top end of the pitch, and we’re working really hard behind the scenes to make that happen. I’m pretty confident that given the timescale to the next game, we’ll have some help in, in that area.
“I just feel at the moment that we probably need to supplement Hemir and make sure that we’re not relying on a young boy to be the striker for too long. We need some options.”
Who will start up front for Sunderland vs Ipswich Town?
With Ross Stewart out of action, it is unclear who will take his spot against Ipswich Town. Joe Gelhard formerly claimed the number nine role as the Wearsiders reached the Championship play-offs, though he has returned to Leeds United after his loan spell concluded.
Hemir has definitely got fans’ tails wagging after a number of quality displays during their US pre-season tour, though his lack of experience makes a first start for him so soon very risky.
If Sunderland can capture a striker before next weekend like Tony Mowbray believes then their chances of a win will be massively boosted, though they could be forced to settle for a p place on the bench depending on how soon a deal can get done.