Sunderland boss Steve Bruce admits he's desperate to boost his defensive options before the market shuts.

The former Manchester United defender has already signed Matthew Kilgallon from Sheffield United to bolster his defence and saw Michael Turner come back after a four-game ban on Saturday.

But with Anton Ferdinand and Nyron Nosworthy still sidelined with injuries and George McCartney suffering with a virus, Bruce may re-enter the transfer market.

He said: "That's where we have to improve. We've got strength in that area and before the window closes, hopefully we can strengthen again.

"Obviously with the injuries to Nosworthy and Ferdinand, we are very, very short at the moment.

"We're chipping away at various different things and whether something will progress in the next few days, I'm not so sure. But we'll keep trying."