SIMON GRAYSON thinks the ‘true Sunderland’ will only be evident when the transfer window has closed as he continues to press ahead with his drive to strengthen his squad this month.

While there are no imminent signings on the cards ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup trip to Carlisle United, the Black Cats’ chief executive Martin Bain is still in discussions with clubs aimed at bringing in more new faces.

It is hoped there will be another signing before Saturday’s visit to Barnsley, although Grayson was keeping his cards close to his chest when he was asked about transfers yesterday – only to suggest there was still work to do to get men in.

He admitted over the weekend there is some money available for new players, but the wages of some of his targets is likely to mean loan deals have a greater chance of being secured.

West Ham’s Rob Snodgrass, Aston Villa’s Ross McCormack and Middlesbrough midfielder Grant Leadbitter are known to be three of the main men in his sights this month – and pulling off players of that calibre would seriously improve the squad for the Championship.

Despite enjoying a promising start as Sunderland manager regardless of Saturday’s defeat to Leeds United, Grayson thinks it is difficult to truly weigh up his team’s potential until the window has closed.

He said: “I would like a few more bodies in, I am also aware that we have players coming back from injury who can be key for us. We have Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore who would get into most Championship teams. They will be like two new signings when they eventually come back.

“Bryan Oviedo will make his first appearance this week. With the additions that we are possibly going to get before the window, I think we will be in a far stronger position then. Everybody is still waiting to see how their squads will develop.

“I don’t think anyone will really see our true team until that window shuts and we know what group of players I have available from then until January.”

Grayson was encouraged by the work-rate of his team against Leeds on Sunday and the performances Sunderland have turned in so far have pleasantly surprised most fans since relegation from the top-flight and the depressing mood that came with it.

He will make a number of changes at Carlisle tonight, with Costa Rican left-back Oviedo set to start at left-back instead of the rested Brendan Galloway who took an ankle knock on Saturday. Goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter is also likely to get the nod ahead of Jason Steele.

Grayson knew there would be quality within the group of players, but what has encouraged him more than anything is how they have adapted to the second tier of English football.

He said: “I’m not really surprised by the squad I inherited. When you come out of the Premier League, these players are good players. They are there at that level for a reason. What I have been pleased about is that they have taken on board what I have asked them to do.

“When I have told them it is going to be demanding, it is going to be a lot of second balls, and they will have to fight to earn the right to play. They might have been surprised at first, but after a couple of games they certainly realised what the Championship is all about.

“The pleasing thing is they understand what is required now at this level. I spoke to Lee Cattermole this morning about it and he said he couldn’t believe how demanding the Championship is now.”

Cattermole is likely to be one of those who misses out tonight, although Grayson didn’t confirm that. He is key member of the Sunderland team and given his injury record in recent years, it seems the perfect opportunity to give him a break and another player a chance.

Grayson said: “There’s a chance he might play. We will see. You have to be careful with certain players that we don’t put them through an unnecessary load given what his record was even with the limited amount of games you play in the Premier League.

“He is one of a few that we have to be very careful with. He has been desperate to play in all the games and it’s great he has done. A fit Lee Cattermole is a big bonus to us.”

Sunderland: Ruiter; Love, Djilobodji, O’Shea, Oviedo; Honeyman, Rodwell, Gibson, McGeady; Khazri, Grabban.