Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is confident they have the backing to compete in the transfer market.

He said: "The market is very, very hot. The new money in there certainly has made the Premiership a tough place to do business, but we'll give it our best shot. We'd like to think we've a lot to offer a would-be signing at this club.

"Physically, if someone comes to us to see the football club, they'll walk away with a great impression, the training ground, the stadium, the support. On the playing side, you look at a manager like Roy Keane and I know that if I was a player with ability and wanted to show the world what I could do, I know that I could learn from him. We think he's a fantastic attraction to signings."

Quinn added: "And I know we have to be up there competing financially.

"But they (Drumaville) are up for it, they've been very good, we had a very good meeting recently and they're full steam ahead. It's going the right way."