Sunderland have discussed bringing in a free agent to help them cope with injuries to Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms - but Tony Mowbray says there are no plans to add to squad at present. The Black Cats are currently without a number nine to spearhead their attack, with top scorer Stewart expected to be sidelined for at least another month with a thigh injury while on-loan Everton man Simms is out of action with a toe problem which is taking longer than expected to heal.
With no direct replacements available, Mowbray has had to change approach and employ Alex Pritchard as a false nine, supported by Patrick Roberts and Elliot Embleton, and that has worked to good effect in the last two games, with Sunderland winning 3-0 at Reading and securing a 2-2 draw at Watford. And it seems that Mowbray and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman are content to continue with that gameplan for now, rather than look for an out-of-contract forward who could join outside the transfer window.
"We've sat and explored it," said Mowbray of the prospect of signing a free agent. "We've had meetings and discussions.
