Owner Donald is hoping to sign up to another five new players
BLACK CATS FOCUS
Sunderland owner Stewart Donald is aiming to land another four or five signings with two strikers and another centre back the priority.
The Black Cats have so far added six new faces to the first team squad as part of their summer overhaul.
While it was only the first pre-season game, Tuesday’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Darlington highlighted the desperate need for reinforcements in attack.
Trialist Anton Forrester was handed an hour and will again feature against Hartlepool United on Saturday, with youngsters Josh Maja and Andrew Nelson the only other striking options for Jack Ross.
No incoming deals are thought to be imminent, the focus has been on shifting some of the wantaway high earners.
But the need for fresh blood up front is clear.
Ross said: “We have a lot of attack minded players at the moment but not many out and out strikers.
“That is going to be important because you can have creativity in the final third but without goalscorers it won’t count for much.”
Donald, currently over in Russia for England’s World Cup semi-final with Croatia, moved to reassure Sunderland fans that the hard work around recruitment continues.
Donald, yesterday morning, tweeted: “To all the @ SunderlandAFC I will be relaxing today following England – Other than trying to strengthen the team with 4 or 5 signings of course – that will hopefully be just what we need.”
Sunderland have so far added goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin, who missed the Darlington defeat with a groin injury, defenders Reece James, Alim Ozturk, Tom Flanagan, midfielder Dylan McGeouch and forward Chris Maguire, who is not an out and out striker, to the first-team squad.
Sunderland face Pools at Victoria Park on Saturday (KO 3pm) before next Tuesday night’s trip to Grimsby Town (KO 7.30pm), a game Donald is aiming to attend.
Meanwhile, striker Sam Greenwood admits it was a “very hard” decision to leave Sunderland after securing a move to Arsenal.
The promising 16-yearold was in demand with Manchester United and Liverpool also keen on the teenager.
The Gunners won the race to land his signature and Greenwood has opened up about the decision to leave Wearside. Writing on his Instagram account, Greenwood said: “Today is the start of a new chapter in my life signing for @arsenal and I can’t wait to get started, I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead. “Leaving Sunderland after 10 years, the club I love and support, was a very hard decision, I have met some special people along the way.
“Big thanks to Sunderland and all coaches past and present for everything they have done for me. I will never forget my roots.”
Greenwood enjoyed a successful season for Sunderland’s Under-18 side last season, scoring six goals in 15 appearances.