Alex Neil has not ruled out bringing in free agents to strengthen Sunderland's squad - admitting the Black Cats are still short in 'a couple of areas'.
But the new head coach is wary of adding more players who arrive having played little or no football - as the club did last month when Jermain Defoe, Patrick Roberts, and Jack Clarke, all joined having barely played a first-team game all season - because of the lack of time for them to get up to speed.
Neil oversaw his first game in charge of the Black Cats yesterday, and the 1-1 draw at relegation strugglers AFC Wimbledon has given him a clear idea of the limitations and shortcomings of the group he has inherited.
