Cats’ striker situation assessed as Johnson looks to bolster attack

Sunderland are looking to sign a new striker this month – yet findingsomeonewhocanmake an immediate impact won’t be straightforward.

The Black Cats have the top scorer in League One this season,withRossStewartbagging his 18th goal of the campaign against Lincoln. Yet there is clearly a lack of cover for the Scottish frontman, while Sunderlandhaveseenthebenefits of playing with two strikers when Nathan Broadhead was fit. We’ve taken a closer look at the club’s striker situation.

Who are Sunderland interested in?: A few names have been mentioned already, yetmostofthemseemunlikely to materialise.

Despite reports, Peterborough’s director of football Barry Fry has said there has been no approach from SunderlandforJonsonClarke-Harris, while Rotherham are unlikely

to sell Freddie Ladapo to a promotion rival.

Basedontheirrecruitment strategy, it’s more likely Sunderland will move for a younger option, potentially on loan from a Premier League club. Sheffield United striker Daniel Jebbison held talks about a

move to Wearside in the summer, but is now at Burton.

Sunderland have also been creditedwithinterestinAston Villa striker Cameron Archer – who is a pacey striker and someonewhoappearstofitthe profile of player they are lookingfor.Yettherehavealsobeen suggestionsthatVillawillwant to keep Archer after allowing Keinan Davis to join Nottingham Forest on loan.

Is there a limit on loan deals?: Sunderland have five loanplayersintheirsquad:CallumDoyle,LeonDajaku,Thorben Hoffmann, Frederik Alves and Nathan Broadhead.

Aside from Alves, who is likely to return to West Ham, the Black Cats look set to keep the aforementioned players until the end of the season.

While there is no limit on the number of loans EFL clubs are allowed, they are only allowed to name five in the matchday squad.

What are Sunderland’s otheroptions?:WhileStewart is fit and available Sunderland have time to look for the right deal, yet clearly it is a precarious position.

The Black Cats allowed young striker Will Harris, 21, tojoinLeagueTwosideBarrow onloan,leavingBenjiKimpioka as the only cover for Stewart. Aiden O’Brien could also play throughthemiddleifrequired.

Sunderland will obviously want to get someone in as soon as possible, but may have to wait as other clubs assess their squads.