Sunderland V Milton Keynes Dons at Stadium of Light : Match Preview

26 August 2013 17:02
Sunderland V Milton Keynes Dons - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Di Canio looks for more signings

Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio is desperate to prolong his summer spending spree as he targets further signings during the remaining days of the transfer window.


The Italian has already brought 11 new faces into the Stadium of Light since the end of last season, but having seen his new-look side struggle to score goals in their opening two Barclays Premier League fixtures, is hoping the recruitment drive does not end there.


Striker Steven Fletcher is currently working his way back to match fitness after ankle surgery and his return will provide a major boost, but Di Canio is still without a specialist left-back and is keen to add a midfield enforcer to the ranks.


The Black Cats have been heavily linked with Swansea's South Korea international Ki Sung-yeung, and while the manager declined to be drawn on names as he prepared for Tuesday night's Capital One Cup second-round clash with MK Dons, he admitted he was keeping his fingers crossed.


Di Canio said: "I don't mention names, but it is obvious that someone has to join us in the next few days.


"We still have six, seven days. I don't want to lose my energy on this because we have a game tomorrow and a game on Saturday.


"The club is working, we know this, and I am waiting for the time that some players join us."


In the meantime, Di Canio and his players will focus their attention on negotiating a path through a potentially tricky cup tie to progress in a competition the 45-year-old places on a par with the club's Premier League commitments.


He said: "I you want to build a winning mentality, it goes in line with the league. It's very, very important.


"It's obvious that from a company point of view, to maintain the league is crucial.


"To have life, not in terms of the economic situation, but in terms of results, in terms of delivering a winning mentality, we have to take every competition seriously with maximum effort and determination, otherwise we are never going to change the mentality.


"Obviously, you can lose, you can win, you can draw, but we can see if there is desire in facing MK Dons like we have to do against Manchester City.


"If we can change this mentality, we are going to be okay for the future also in the league because a winning habit is very important."


Di Canio has no fresh injury concerns for the tie.


Left-back Jack Colback limped off early in the second half at Southampton, but, while remaining coy, the Italian insisted he had no fitness problems other than Steven Fletcher (ankle) and Wes Brown (knee).


MK Dons' young players are expected to get another chance to impress.


As they were for the first-round win over Northampton, the likes of Tom Flanagan, Brendan Galloway, Dele Alli and George Baldock are all thought to be in the squad that has travelled to the north east. Goalkeeper Ian McLoughlin is also likely to deputise for David Martin between the posts at the Stadium of Light.


Source: PA