Alex Neil on Sunderland's search for signings as cover and competition for Ross Stewart

Alex Neil wants to bring in 'one or two' players to provide cover and competition for Ross Stewart before the season kicks-off - but admits the timing of some deals may not be within Sunderland's control. Stewart remains the Black Cats' only senior specialist number nine, although Neil does have other options up front such as pressing players such as Jack Clarke or Leon Dajaku into advanced positions.

But there is no doubt that Sunderland's lack of out-and-out strikers is the biggest single concern a fortnight out from the Wearsider's Championship curtain-raiser against Coventry City on Sunday, July 31. Asked whether he still needed to add more than one frontman, Neil said: "Yeah, definitely - and that's only for that position!

"There are other positions that I think we still need to recruit in, as well. Everybody behind the scenes is working together, we know what we have to do, so it's not as though this is just my feeling - it's the feeling across the board.

"We just need to work hard to get them across the line. You always want a replacement, so if Ross is not available we have someone who can come in and do a job.

"Equally, you also need to competition to push him because everybody isn't going to play well all the time so you need to have other guys who can step in. We also need variety, a different type, someone who offers something slightly different than Ross brings.

"We've still got signings to make in a variety of positions, so we know we've got work to do. We've worked well and we've worked quietly in the background to get players in, which has been good, but we all understand we have more to do because it's going to be a long, hard, difficult, season in the Championship.

"It's a tough level to operate at,