Sunderland continue to trawl the market – including for goalkeepers

Lee Johnson says that Sunderland are monitoring the market for new additions in every position, including goalkeepers.

The Black Cats head coach would not be drawn specifically on the club's interest in former goalkeeper Vito Mannone, currently at AS Monaco.

But he conceded that he was open to making another addition in that crucial part of the pitch.

With just over a week to go in the transfer window, he added again that he has been pleased with his current goalkeepers and, specifically, their willingness to adapt their game to the club's new philosophy.

"We're always looking," Johnson said.

"Unfortunately for players, it's the nature of the beast.

"If our head of recruitment just suddenly decided to chill out because he thinks we have a squad that can win the league, he's not doing his job properly.

"He's got to find the next best thing, whether it's a youngster coming through or a 32-year-old who can get us promoted.

"There's various lists compiled based on that, improving the value of the squad, improving assets, and it's about trying to balance all of that off.

"So on the goalkeeper front, we've got two very good goalkeepers but same as every position, we are always looking.

"Patto (Andrew Patterson) has done extremely well, I've been extremely pleased and impressed with the work he's done.

"Burgey (Lee Burge) was in the team of the year last season and so he obviously brings a lot of strengths to the team.

"And we're also looking to improve our own players.

"We're working with these players to improve them and a lot of the scenarios you've seen in games, and the positivity, have stemmed from the goalkeepers, things like having the attitude to get to the edge of the box quickly.

"Even the error we've made against MK Dons, that's on me.

"Yeah it could have been better execution in the moment, but the attitude to play in that way comes from me and so I take it on the chin if it leads to an error."

Sunderland have not ruled out the possibility of sending Patterson out on loan, and that possibility would clearly increase if the Black Cats recruit another senior option.