Recruiting will not be easy – boss

NATHAN Broadhead’s long-term injury has increased the pressure on Sunderland to strengthen in the January transfer window – but boss Lee Johnson reckons the Covid situation may make it difficult to recruit early.

On-loan Everton forward Broadhead has been ruled out for at least three months, and possibly for the rest of the season, with a torn hamstring sustained in last week’s Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat at Arsenal.

He joins a long list of casualties with Aiden McGeady, Niall Huggins, Luke O’Nien and Jordan Willis out for a considerable period.

Johnson was already keen to bring in reinforcements next month, but Broadhead’s injury has made that essential if the Black Cats are to maintain their promotion challenge.

The window opens on Saturday and Sunderland have already made enquiries about a number of players.

However, Johnson says there will be a reluctance on the part of Premier League and Championship clubs to let players go while squads are being weakened by Covid outbreaks.

Johnson said of Broadhead’s injury: “It is an absolute disaster and we are going to need help.

“We are going to need to add to the squad in January.

“The problem you have at the moment is a lot of clubs are holding on to a lot of players with the Covid situation.

“Nobody wants to let go a young loan who is decent.

“They are the ones we will be going for. The ones who are on the verge of the first team and, therefore, higher-level clubs will want to hold on to them.

“I reckon quite a few of those will be late shouts but we are certainly in contact.”

Sunderland have already taken five players on loan and, while clubs are allowed to sign up to seven, Johnson has previously said he is not keen add any more than the five he can name in his match-day squad.

The Wearsiders could also convert their existing loans into permanent moves, with options already agreed to potentially sign goalkeeper Thorben Hoffmann from Bayern Munich and winger Leon Dajaku from Union Berlin.