SAM ALLARDYCE has revealed that Vito Mannone will return to Sunderland’s starting line-up for this weekend’s home game with Bournemouth.

Mannone was dropped to the substitutes' bench for last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Tottenham, with Jordan Pickford taking over in goal following his impressive showing in the FA cup reverse at Arsenal.

It was anticipated that Pickford would remain in the starting side for Saturday’s relegation showdown with Bournemouth, but Allardyce insists Mannone is still his number one.

As a result, the Italian shot-stopper is set to reclaim his place at the weekend.

“Jordan isn’t the number one – Vito is the number one,” said Allardyce. “I wanted Jordan to go in for a game after his good performance at Arsenal, to see how he can do in the Premier League.

“But we’ve assured Vito that for the time being, he’s the number one and will continue to be the number one until such time as his performances don’t deserve that position.

“He’s waited patiently for the chance to restore himself as the number one. He was the Player of the Year before I came here.

“He’s shown he’s capable and we just hope he can show that capability again and keep young Pickford at bay. It’s good competition.”

With Costel Pantilimon having joined Watford earlier this week, Sunderland now have just two senior goalkeepers on their books, and Allardyce will attempt to sign a new number three before the transfer window closes.

“I’m looking for a third goalkeeper just in case,” he confirmed. “It’s something we will look at by early next week.”

Pantilimon was sacrificed in order to reduce the wage bill, with the Romanian having been one of the club’s higher earners following his free transfer from Manchester City.

“He was the first one (of the goalkeepers) who found a football club,” said Allardyce. “He found a club who wanted him, and the negotiations took place between both clubs.

“I was asked, and I said I was okay with it because Pickford did very well and Vito did very well when I came here. Costel would have been the one who would not have been comfortable with not being in the first team.”

With Pantilimon and Graham having left Wearside this week, Allardyce continues to pursue potential additions to the squad.

Swansea striker Andrew Ayew remains a leading target, although Allardyce refused to be drawn on suggestions that Fabio Borini could be included in a potential deal for the Ghana international.

Lamine Kone will not be moving to the Stadium of Light however, after a second attempt to broker a deal for the Lorient centre-half broke down.

“It broke down on the negotiations,” said Allardyce. “We thought we’d finally been able to strike a deal, but then it changed and broke down again. You could probably blame us the first time not them, but I think this time it’s more them than us.”