Boss wants two more signings as Cats mull move for defender

LEE Johnson says Sunderland are in the market for a “couple of additions” as he looks to bolster his squad for a promotion charge.

The Black Cats boss has already brought in 27-year-old Carl Winchester from Forest Green Rovers but hopes there will be more new recruits arriving soon.

He had hoped to bring in a forward but said the process has been held up by the pending club takeover.

Johnson said: “We are still in the market and are looking to make a couple of additions where possible.

“They have to be right but this is a great club and hopefully it sells itself.

“We want to be competitive in the division and of course we have to get back to work very quickly with an important game against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.”

Winchester became Johnson’s first signing and it is hoped he will ease some of the midfield strain on veteran Grant Leadbitter.

Johnson added: “We signed Winchester from Forest Green, he is a player I know well from my time at Oldham, where he had just been brought through and continued to develop and improve.

“He is a player who is very good on the ball, is now in his prime and can make other players around him better.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland have reportedly enquired about signing Brighton defender Alex Cochrane.

The 20-year-old left-back, who is on loan at Union SG in Belgium, is out of contract in the summer and is an England youth international.

The Black Cats have reportedly been monitoring his situation, with Johnson keen on bringing the versatile defender - who can also operate in midfield, to Wearside.