Coleman hopes for a window of opportunity

SUNDERLAND’S transfer plans are well advanced ahead of the window opening on Monday, says Chris Coleman.

The Black Cats’ boss knows he needs to bring in fresh faces to strengthen his squad as it continues to flounder near the foot of the Championship, although the transfer kitty is empty and he will have to rely on loans unless he can generate funds by selling.

He may also have to plug gaps, with Bournemouth considering recalling top scorer Lewis Grabban from his loan spell while others such as Lamine Kone have also been linked with moves.

Coleman has been working with his assistant Kit Symons, coaches Robbie Stockdale and Adrian Tucker, chief executive Martin Bain and recruitment officer Neale McDermott to identify targets who will help Sunderland climb out of danger.

He said: “We have had a plan in mind.

“We are working really along with Neale McDermott, who has been helping out – he has been brilliant – and looking at different options.

“We have spent a lot of hours discussing it to see if we can add a bit of quality to what we have.

“It is inevitable we could lose one or two ourselves so we have to make sure we are pro-active so we don’t get caught short if that does happen.

“It could be an active transfer window.

“We could do with one or two faces to help us out but time will tell if that is the case or not.”

Sunderland appointed McDermott to oversee the scouting and recruitment operation and Coleman says his help has been invaluable.

He added: “It helps because I know Neale and that is a big help. He has been working his socks off.

“We all know a good player, we can all see that, it is about knowing that little more about them, finding about their personality and their behaviour, all that kind of thing.

“He has been really good, myself and Martin have been involved, Kit as well, Robbie and Tucks, it has been all of us in a room trying to churn it out, come out with solutions and answers.”