Michael Beale says Sunderland want a striker to make an instant impact

Michael Beale says Sunderland are looking for a striker who can make an immediate impact rather than a ‘filler,’ but he has warned it won’t be easy.

Sunderland have four strikers in the squad already but Nazariy Rusyn is the only one who has scored – and he only did that for the first time two weeks ago.

In truth, while the number of strikers in the squad is high, the reality is very different. Luis Hemir and Eliezer Mayenda were signed as developmental players for the future and Mason Burstow is a youngster on loan from Chelsea.

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The need for another senior striker is, therefore, very obvious to everyone, and Beale says the club are no different.

However, knowing it an solving it are two completely different things – especially when competition to sign quality centre forwards is to intense.

"We're trying to strengthen an area that maybe eight to 10 other teams are this month, so it's not going to be easy but we're going to do our best to add to the group, not just in that position,” Beale said.

"I think it's just the right player that fits and when you sit and speak to a player, is he coming for the right reasons? Does he look motivated? Is he going to come in and make our starting team stronger?

"I don't think we need any fillers. We don't need anyone to come in and pad the bench. We have a fit and healthy young group. We need people to come in who are going to help us."

"It's about finding the right players. If we feel that we can in this window then everybody in the club from Kyril through to Kristjaan and myself is looking to do that."

Michael Beale says Sunderland want a striker to make an instant impact - but so does everyone

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