Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill aims to spend in January.

Sunderland owner Ellis Short will back his manager in the transfer window.

O'Neill said: "We need to try to improve our strength in depth.

"If I feel a player is good value, I don't mind signing them. I did that at Aston Villa with Ashley Young and John Carew.

"Maybe there will be other short-term loans which would bolster us immediately. If you are going to pay for players, they would need to improve the team immediately and for the foreseeable future."