Wearsiders desperate to strike lucky

SUNDERLAND continue to pursue multiple targets as they look to sign competition and cover for Ross Stewart.

With the start of the Championship season just ten days away, Scotland international Stewart remains the Black Cats’ sole senior No 9.

The Wearsiders have brought in four new signings so far but boss Alex Neil has said several times his squad needs to be strengthened significantly in a number of key areas if it is to be competitive in the second tier.

The threadbare state of Sunderland’s centre-forward options is the most obvious deficiency.

A move for Everton frontman Nathan Broadhead - who spent a successful season on loan on Wearside last term and helped the club earn promotion via the play-offs - is the preferred choice both within the club and among supporters.

Broadhead was part of the Everton squad which travelled to America as part of the Toffeemen’s pre-season preparations but did not feature in their games against Arsenal or Minnesota United.

Sunderland are also understood to be in the running for Spurs’ Troy Parrott, who is likely to be loaned out to a Championship side this season having impressed in his loan spell at MK Dons in League One last term.

Parrott, 20, is also a target for clubs including Middlesbrough, QPR and Preston and has been involved in Spurs’ pre-season games in South Korea earlier this month.

Sunderland have also been touted as a potential suitor for Aston Villa frontman Cameron Archer, although it appears boss Steven Gerrard is keen to keep the 20-year-old at Villa Park for the forthcoming campaign as he has caught the eye during a pre-season trip to Australia.

Following Sunderland’s pre-season defeat at Bradford City on Tuesday night, Neil said the club was in discussions with ‘numerous’ players.

He said: “We are banging the door down as much as we can.

“I don’t want to do my business on the last day in August, I want it done as soon as possible, but the simple fact is that we are not in control of that.”