SUNDERLAND are keeping an eye on Burnley striker Danny Ings as Gus Poyet weighs up contenders to increase firepower at the Stadium of Light.

Poyet is desperate to bring in a new forward during the January transfer window and could be set to rival Newcastle United for his signature.

Ings has adapted to the Premier League and has hit four goals in the Clarets’ recent revival after the club had initially struggled to come to terms with life back in the top-flight.

The 22-year-old’s form has caught the eye of a number of Premier League clubs, all aware of his contract situation which has increased the uncertainty surrounding his future.

Ings will become a free agent next summer and free to leave, although any interested clubs would have to pay a compensation fee decided by a tribunal because he is under the age of 24.

Such a scenario has increased the likelihood that there will be multi-million pound offers for his services when the transfer window opens for a month on January 1.

Burnley are desperate to keep the former Bournemouth striker at Turf Moor and manager Sean Dyche still hopes to get him to commit to a new deal.

Dyche, and the Burnley board, will then have to decide whether to risk losing him on the cheap next summer by keeping Ings for the battle to stay up or to cash in while they have the chance.

The Black Cats are keen to have an alternative option to lead the line to compete with Connor Wickham and Steven Fletcher, particularly as the chances of Jozy Altidore staying are receding.

Altidore will be available if the right offer comes along for all parties and German club Werder Bremen are known to be interested in taking him on loan for the rest of the season with a view to a permanent arrangement in the summer.

The American was left devastated after a woeful miss just before half-time during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham at the Stadium of Light. That left him still without a Premier League goal for more than a year.

He is unlikely to lead the line at St James’ Park this Sunday, when Sunderland will look to make it three wins in a row against Newcastle on Tyneside.

The latest meeting between the two Tyne-Wear rivals will see a change to the approach from Northumbria Police, dispensing of the “rings of steel” road closures and the enforced marching of away supporters to the ground.

Police hope the death of two Newcastle fans, John Alder and Liam Sweeney, when Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was brought down in July has created a spirit of reconciliation after Sunderland fans contributed to a fund-raising effort for the families of the victims.

Supporters groups from both sides have since met to discuss how to transform hatred into a friendly rivalry.

There have also been calls for an alcohol ban inside St James’ on Sunday when Poyet fears that booze could be the biggest threat to a derby free of trouble. It is understood, though, that alcohol will be sold inside the stadium as normal.

“I think the decisions we are making are dependent on the game, on the result and on the referee. It depends on so many things. I will be a little bit more cautious,” said Poyet.

“A derby is a derby. People are passionate but these days we are more worried about Twitter and Facebook than alcohol. You want a friendly derby? Don't sell alcohol for the whole day in Newcastle and maybe you’ve got a chance.

“If you are going to let everyone go to the pub and expect them to behave you are a bit naïve. Quite naive. I am a head coach not the head of security or in the police department.

“I want to make sure our fans go with the right mentality to enjoy the day. Accept whatever it brings and be funny without being disrespectful. But let’s not be too naive.”

With more than 2,500 away fans making their way to the game, Sunderland are offering free bus travel and supporters have until Friday to request a ticket.