ELLIS SHORT has pledged to support Dick Advocaat’s attempts to strengthen Sunderland’s midfield following the pair’s face-to-face talks in Canada.

Short travelled to the Black Cats’ training base in Toronto in order to discuss his plans for the remainder of the transfer window, with Sunderland having brought in four players since the end of last season.

Three of those players are defenders, and while Jeremain Lens will enhance the Wearsiders’ attacking threat following his £8m move from Dynamo Kiev, Advocaat remains keen to make another high-profile midfield addition.

Tottenham’s Moussa Dembele remains the Dutchman’s primary target, and while an initial approach resulted in Spurs officials outlining their reluctance the sell the Belgian, Sunderland sporting director Lee Congerton is expected to make renewed contact with the hierarchy at White Hart Lane later this week.

Spurs completed the £6m sale of Benjamin Stambouli to Paris St Germain yesterday, and with Paulinho, Lewis Holtby and Etienne Capoue also having left North London this summer, Mauricio Pochettino is reluctant to lose any more midfielders before he has had the opportunity to make an addition of his own.

However, Sunderland’s recruitment team are hoping that with just two years remaining on his contract, Dembele could be prised from White Hart Lane. The fact the midfielder was agitating for more regular first-team football last season could also play into their hands.

Crucially, sources close to the Black Cats claim that this week’s North American talks were positive, with Short reinforcing his commitment to support the club’s transfer plans in the wake of last season’s narrow escape from relegation.

Having persuaded Advocaat to reverse his previous decision to return to Holland, the Sunderland owner is understood to feel a debt of loyalty and is keen to do all he can to back his head coach’s transfer manoeuvring.

Sebastian Coates is one of the four players to have signed this summer, and having followed up last season’s loan spell with a permanent transfer from Liverpool, the Uruguayan is looking forward to kick-starting his second spell as a Sunderland player in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

The Black Cats complete their North American tour with a game against MLS side Toronto FC, and having travelled to Canada along with Lens, Younes Kaboul, Adam Johnson and Patrick van Aanholt – who also missed the defeats to Sacramento Republic and Club Pachuca – Coates cannot wait to get back onto the pitch.

“I’m very happy to be back training with the team again, and it’s nice to see everyone,” said the centre-half. “The sessions have been tough in the heat, but we all know that is the main focus at this time of year – to get in shape and be ready for the new season.

The Northern Echo:

“Hopefully, I’ll be involved against Toronto. I know I need to get my fitness up, and hopefully the head coach will give me the chance to play. It will be good for me to get some playing time.

“Toronto have some really good players. Obviously, Jozy Altidore is there, and Sebastian Giovinco is really talented. He’s a key player for them, and it will be a good match.”