Coleman: Camp’s still playing catch-up

Sunderland boss Chris Coleman admits Lee Camp is still playing catch-up, but he was impressed with his cameo at Loftus Road.

Cardiff loaned the former QPR keeper to Sunderland in January as he battled his way back from a long-term injury, but he found himself dropped after a handful of games.

He was thrown into action at Loftus Road on Saturday following Jason Steele’s red card and will now continue in goal.

Camp made some good saves in the latter stages and Coleman, who has said his experience will be key, was pleased.

The Black Cats manager said: “We were down to 10 men and so it opened the game for QPR when he came on.

“Lee was out for a long time. They saw the best of him here [QPR], he’s very much playing catch-up.

“We had to bring a keeper in (in January). We knew it would take Lee time, but he made some good saves there, fair play to him.”

Sunderland’s January signings continue to struggle, with Ashley Fletcher still searching for his first goal.

Coleman admitted that he was shopping in a limited market but insists the club are better off with players who want to play.

He said: “We’ve had to take a gamble, it was the situation we were in. If you don’t have any money you don’t really have any choice, or a big choice anyway.

“We needed players in who wanted to play football.

“We’ve struggled to get Kaz [LuaLua] fit because of his ankle problem, Fletch hasn’t played at Boro and is under pressure. But look, at least they want to be here. Without them, we would already be done.”