Alex Neil insists he is not worried about a lack of attacking options in Sunderland's run-in despite the departures of Jermain Defoe and Benji Kimpioka over the last eight days. Ex-England man Defoe announced at the end of last week that he was retiring with immediate effect, less than two months after the 39-year-old re-signed for a second spell with the Black Cats.
And late last night Sunderland allowed U23 striker Kimpioka to return to his homeland and join AIK on what was transfer deadline day in Sweden. Both Defoe and Kimpioka have been little more than bit-part players, but nevertheless it leaves Neil with just two out-and-out strikers in 22-goal leading scorer Ross Stewart, and on-loan Everton man Nathan Broadhead - the latter nearing fitness having played just once since picking up a hamstring injury before Christmas.
But Neil does have other options in Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts, who can operate as forwards, as can Lynden Gooch. "Hopefully I'm not tempting fate, but Ross isn't somebody who has been picking up a lot of injuries," said Neil.
