PAOLO DI CANIO hopes Sunderland will have at least one more new face in before this Saturday's Premier League curtain-raiser with Fulham.

The Black Cats have been busy on the recruitment front this summer but Di Canio still has eyes on filling the full-back spots ahead of the transfer window closing on September 2.

And it has emerged Sunderland are still trying to strengthen their attacking options after trying to tempt Juventus in to offloading Fabio Quagliarella.

The 30-year-old Italian international has been made available by the Serie A champions following the arrivals of Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez.

But Juventus are looking to sell Quagliarella for £7m in the next fortnight, even though they have been unable to find a buyer so far.

Norwich City have been credited with a strong interest, but with time running out for Juventus to sell Sunderland have explored the possibility of a loan.

That scenario could still emerge the nearer the transfer deadline gets because Juventus want to trim their wage bill for the rest of the season.

Sunderland's director of football Roberto De Fanti is working away on a number of leads and a new striker is not the priority.

It is understood that finding the key midfielder Di Canio craves is highest in the De Fanti's thinking, while the shortage of full-backs at the club makes that a necessity.

Di Canio is frustrated at the length of time it has taken to bring in a new right-back and left-back, having ended last season knowing both areas needed addressing.

He had made up his mind at that point he no longer wanted Phil Bardsley – who is still to leave despite interest from Fulham – and Danny Rose returned to Tottenham following a season-long loan.

It seemed for the majority of the summer that Argentina right-back Gino Peruzzi would be on his way to the Stadium of Light, only for the £5m deal to break down over fitness injury concerns.

That led to Sunderland looking at other areas and they are currently in discussions with Turkish club Trabzonspor about Czech defender Ondrej Celustka.

The 24-year-old is rated at around £3m and has already rejected the chance of a move to another club in Turkey in the hope of sealing a move to the Premier League.

He said: “Antalyaspor wanted me, but my goal is to play in England. The teams mentioned as being interested in me are accurate. There could be developments in the coming days.”