SUNDERLAND are busy assessing the transfer market in the hope of landing a new striker, but any hopes of securing a quick deal in January have been played down by Gus Poyet.

The Black Cats are pursuing a number of potential targets in a variety of positions but the Uruguayan head coach has not reported any major progress in the search ahead of tomorrow’s opening of the transfer window.

Poyet and sporting director Lee Congerton have had numerous discussions on possible deals for the New Year, but he has hinted that his hopes for a quick deal have faded.

"We're waiting,” he said. “Obviously we want the best player in the world very cheaply. He has to be good looking, score goals, run and sprint! In other words it's very difficult.

"We're working very hard on it. Are we going to bring someone in? Sometimes it needs a player to move, because you've seen what's happened in Spain and Italy with (Fernando) Torres moving. That's what makes things happen. When someone goes it starts the ball rolling. It's not easy but we'll see.”

As well as adding to the defence and finding a different option to play out wide, Congerton’s priority next month is to bring in a player to compete with Steven Fletcher, Connor Wickham and Jozy Altidore in attack.

"We have talked about strikers, of course,” said Poyet. “I always say, the easiest way to sort out a few problems is to buy a striker. But it has to be at the right price for the right player. Everybody is looking for the same so it's a competition and there aren't many out there like that.”

Sunderland will head for Manchester City tomorrow looking to spring a surprise against the champions for the second time in eight months, having gone close to defeating them at the Etihad Stadium in April.

Poyet will be monitoring the fitness of Swedish midfielder Seb Larsson closely when he trains at the Academy of Light this morning. Larsson suffered damage to his ankle ligaments during Sunday’s goalless draw at Aston Villa but has suggested he will be fine to play.

His manager, however, is wary of throwing him in against City if there are doubts so has Jack Rodwell standing by.

"Seb is going to train on Wednesday and he's much better,” said Poyet. “The injury itself is the kind of one we can all react to differently.

“It's going to be painful for a while because he twisted it badly, it looks bad because it's swollen but it depends how you can deal with the pain. Seb's the kind of player who knows it's going to hurt but he's willing to deal with that.”

But midfielder Liam Bridcutt will definitely miss out. Bridcutt had to be forced off with concussion at Villa Park when Christian Benteke’s knee collided with his face.

Poyet said: “Liam's desperate to get out and play but we've been talking about the concussion and we'll play by the rules so until Friday he can't train.”

Bridcutt could face Leeds United in the FA Cup at the weekend, while injured full-backs Patrick van Aanholt and Anthony Reveillere are expected to return to training on Monday ahead of schedule.