GUS POYET hopes to make further signings before the Premier League season begins on Saturday.

Sunderland completed their pre-season schedule with a comfortable 2-0 win against Serie A side Udinese at Heritage Park on Saturday, and while Poyet’s first XI was a strong one, he is still in search of further signings to strengthen his squad further.

“We're a week away and the days will pass quite quickly but we are working on transfers and hope to have something very, very soon,” Poyet said after Santiago Vergini and Connor Wickham helped the Black Cats to victory in Bishop Auckland.

“With the players we've got here everything is in place,” he said. “Jack Rodwell has only trained with us once so he will be in every day paying attention and learning what we want to do.

“It will be the same for anyone who arrives next week but with the rest we know what they can do.

“Like any other managers I've got six or seven players I prefer and the other places are up for grabs.

“I've got a few decisions to make and it's about having the right balance.”