Source: SKY_Sports
Black Cats already out scouting
Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia admits he is already identifying transfer targets for the summer.
Although the Black Cats are still embroiled in a battle to beat the drop Sbragia, along with his coaches, is scouring the globe for potential new recruits.
Having had scant time to identify his targets in the January transfer window, having not long taken over from Roy Keane, Sbragia is eager to be ready to move quickly when the market opens at the end of the season.
"The last transfer window came too soon for me," he told the Sunderland Echo.
"I'd only been in the job a few weeks and had to switch from a situation where I was the coach, looking after the first team, to a manager looking at every other aspect of the club.
"I had very little time to prepare for the January window but we didn't do too bad. We got in Calum Davenport and Tal Ben-Haim, and they were signings I was pleased with. It addressed the pressing problem we had in cover for central defence.
"Other than that though, the main work was about getting players out in order to foster a better team spirit.
Improvements needed
He added: "The next transfer window will be different though. We've got to make sure we're in a position to make the best possible changes at the club in terms of improving the side.
"The way a club progresses is by continually improving the quality of its players and I'm passionate about getting that aspect of the job spot on.
"I've been in football a long time and one thing I know is that you have to be as thorough as you possibly can be when it comes to identifying players who can improve your side.
"We've been coaching the current squad for many months now and we know where we're short. We know the sort of qualities needed to improve the team and we're getting out there trying to find them.
"At the moment our overwhelming priority is picking up points and staying in this division. But after that, we have to look at players who can help take us on to a higher level next season."
It has been speculated in the North East press that Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko is on Sunderland's wish-list, with the Bosnia international having been watched at the weekend while on international duty.
