Sbragia scouting for the summer

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has revealed the club are already making plans for the summer transfer market. The Black Cats conducted minimal business in the winter window because manager Ricky Sbragia only succeeded Roy Keane at the Stadium of Light in December.However, Quinn - who has stated he expects Sbragia to stay beyond his current 18-month contract - has now confirmed that scouting is taking place as the club plot reinforcements.Loan signings Tal Ben-Haim and Calum Davenport arrived in mid-season and those deals could become permanent, while Sbragia is working hard to reduce the risk-factor in any other potential new signings, according to Quinn. StructureHe told SAFC TV: "We always have a plan around six months ahead. One of the interesting things about the recent transfer window is that Ricky got the job just before it opened."He didn't want to sign players he had not seen personally and that was reflected in his policy."Of the players who came in, Tal Ben-Haim worked with Ricky at Bolton and we have seen Calum Davenport play week in, week out."We will see what those loan deals come to at the end of the season."Ricky is already scouting for next season. Clubs always take a punt on buying a player but Ricky wants his punt to be as structured as possible."

Source: SKY_Sports