SAFC set for January Midfield Transfer swoop

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport...for-january-midfield-transfer-swoop-1-5186731

By GRAEME ANDERSON
Published on Saturday 1 December 2012 09:00

SUNDERLAND will look to strengthen central midfield in the January transfer window in the wake of Lee Cattermole’s knee injury.

The skipper is being assessed after suffering suspected medial knee ligament damage in Tuesday’s game against Queens Park Rangers.

And the fear is he could be out until the end of January at the earliest – a spell which would see him effectively miss the middle third of the season.

Black Cats boss Martin O’Neill was reluctant to be drawn on a diagnosis with the midfielder still undergoing tests, but confirmed: “While we don’t know for certain, it does look as though he’s going to be out for some considerable period of time.

“We don’t know exactly what his situation is because he’s still having scans, but our own doctors are concerned.

“It was a different knee to the one he’d hurt previously, and it was very sore.

“So yes, he will be out for some time.”

In the short term, Sunderland could recall David Meyler from his loan spell at Hull City after this weekend but looking further ahead, there is the January transfer window which offers O’Neill the chance for squad strengthening.

O’Neill confirmed: “David Meyler’s situation is something I’m looking at.

“He’s had game time which I think he’s enjoying, and he’s getting fitness.

“But it’s definitely something I will have to look at and review.

“As for January – we’ve got a really big month ahead with lot of games on our plate the same as every other side, and that’s still our main focus.

“It is tough with so much going on.

“But it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be looking at the January market, as everyone does.

“And it is something that is in our minds.”

 

A creative midfielder is a must even without the catts situation

 

I think you chaps should pull out the stops to try to go for Sissokho.
The lad is the real deal.
Although... I hope we sign him.

 

I'm sure i read somewhere that you'd already signed a pre-contract agreement?

 

Sissoko would be just what we need, big powerful driving midfielder who can chip in with a few goals.

I think he's destined for bigger things though. When I look at how weak Man Utd are in the middle there's some CL teams he'd walk into.

 

No more small weak midfielders please we need big powerful attacking strong players to compete in the premiership

 

Not bothered how big and strong they are Vince as long as they can pass the ball preferably forward with accuracy and, can run the game not a lot to ask for (no drink involved yet either).

 

I think it's just paper talk TBH. He'll hold out to see who comes in for him.

 

Talc over the years we've had these small midfielders that were just ok and never really stamped any authority on the team I feel we now need a big strong fast attacking midfielder

 

Easier said than done mate there is this Sissokho character that ACS has been going on about who could be a possible target but, in all honesty looking at our plight would he come? Not sure who we could attract mate that fits the bill without paying big transfer fees and even bigger wages.
Football manager easiest job in the world?

 

yeh I know it's not going to be easy lets just hope eh

 

My answer to the current situation

Bent on loan (lets face it he isn,t going to make it to the 50 game mark at Villa)
Oh and any Goal scoring creative big strong midfielder

 

You don't have to be Einstein to see where we are weak? It's blatantly obvious where we've struggled all season and last season to be honest, we're piss poor weak in the middle of the park, no creativity, no bite, nothing. And, that's with Catts fit and playing.

Get yer cheque book out Ellis

 

Wanyama and Hooper from Celtic. That would do me.

 

Is this to replace the one that's injured, or to add the midfielder we desparatly need anyway?

 

Think we are adding mate although we could also do with a one on loan maybe to cover for Catts so 2 decent midfielders one holding and one attacking, the task gets easier by the minute.

 

Get Meyler back.

Give him December to show if he can cut it or not as the case may be. Not the long term answer but at least give him a go as opposed to spending money with still no guarantee a signing would work.

 

We definitely need to look to foreign leagues, dont underestimate the pull of the Premier League.

I hope Marty casts his net far and wide

 

Diame at West Ham.
A total monster.

 

Oh my God.
Are they gonna let him blow another £23m on more ****e?