SIMON GRAYSON has held talks with Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain to plot a way forward in his bid to strengthen the squad before this weekend’s trip to Norwich City.

The Black Cats, who also play at Bury in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night, are keen to build on the encouraging opening night display against Derby County last Friday when they claimed a point.

Since then Dutch forward Jeremain Lens has moved to Besiktas, although it has emerged the deal is only for an initial £1.4m loan and there are no guarantees the permanent £3.7m deal will go-ahead next summer.

Nevertheless Lens’ move has at least freed up some room on the wage bill and Grayson is keen for Bain to push ahead and broker an agreement with Aston Villa for Ross McCormack.

Sunderland want the Scotland international on loan initially, while there will also be a fresh call to Preston to see if they can land Jordan Hugill – even though Birmingham City have had a second offer rejected for a player valued at around by £4m by his club.

“It was made clear Jeremain wanted not to be part of this club,” said Grayson. “We worked with him over pre-season and he showed a decent attitude.

“He has gone and we wish him well. We move on with players who want to be here, who want to at the club going forward. Anybody who doesn’t I will drive them there myself.

“I will talk with Martin Bain. We know money has to come into help a few things and I will be asking the question (after Lens’ move).”

Despite knowing Lens has wanted to leave, Grayson has been adamant he would be fair to him. That has been the case with Wahbi Khazri and Lamine Kone too and the latter impressed against Derby.

West Ham, Southampton and West Brom are three of the clubs keen on Kone, but Grayson will keep turning to the Ivorian while he is at the club if he deserves to be in the side.

“Both Khazri and Kone have shown a good attitude,” said Grayson. “We have a value on their heads and if nobody reaches that value then they will stay.

“Lamine has been questioned but he was outstanding the other night. He did everything right. While they are here they will be part and parcel of the team. If they go we will see where it takes us.”

He added: “It’s part and parcel of being a manager and working out what is best for the football club, while any player is contracted at a club you have to treat them correctly, and when an opportunity comes to leave we can’t be accused of not looking after them, we knew it would happen. We still think one or two more could go, but while we have them we will keep working with them.”

Any moves for Khazri and Kone are likely to see Sunderland receive substantial transfer fees, and that will help Grayson in his pursuit of players.

Asked what he thought of the talk that Preston had demanded £4m for Hugill, the Sunderland boss said: “Modern day football … the prices are ridiculous for any player, it is always going to increase year on year.

“We are in the market to bring good players in for good value, not pay over the odds. They have to be the right price though. We will wait and see what we deal with.

“We can still go after a couple of loan players as well. We might have opportunity to bring permanent players as well. We will see.”

Grayson has given the players today off so he was keen to carry out his pre-match media duties yesterday, when he provided an early injury update for the trip to Gigg Lane.

The Sunderland manager said: “Everybody who was involved against Derby is fine, they have come through and will be fine.

“Bryan Oviedo has trained this morning so it will be nice to have him back. He is more likely to train all week and there is an Under-23s game on Friday, he could be more involved in that.

“Duncan Watmore and Paddy McNair are making good progress. Jack Rodwell has been training the last three or four days. Those are the only ones who are out, Josh Maja as well with a knee injury.”