Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has hit out at clubs and agents for attempting to unsettle his players. Writing in his programme notes Quinn said: "We have our eye on possible transfer targets, but as the clock ticks, we stand in line waiting for the potential mad rush.

"Joking aside, as the end of the transfer window approaches, you can feel a bit like Charlton Heston in the Ben Hur chariot race striving to keep ahead of the pack.

"We hope to get what we want and we certainly know what agents want - money, end of story.

"But I can't put the club at risk in bowing down to these predators.

"In truth, clubs don't help themselves by taking part in this melee, but I believe it is even worse when some use media outlets to directly announce their intentions and preferences without having made contact with those players' clubs.

"As we all know, life becomes more difficult when players have their heads turned.

"We are very happy with our current group of players, which many people remark is the strongest we have had for years.

"We will try very hard to keep that strong and add to it when appropriate."