CHRIS COLEMAN is set for a frantic end to the January window as he looks to make a number of new signings before Wednesday’s 11pm deadline.

Coleman expects to learn today whether Derby striker Chris Martin is prepared to move to the Stadium of Light on loan after also receiving an offer from Reading.

And Coleman fears his pursuit of Middlesbrough goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos is going to go right down to the wire – and is out of his hands.

After considering his options, the Black Cats boss has identified Konstantopoulos as the shot-stopper he wants in before the deadline.

But Sunderland’s attempts to land him will rest on whether Boro can bring in a replacement themselves to play understudy to Darren Randolph.

Konstantopoulos has six months remaining on his contract at the Riverside and his only appearances this season have been in the EFL Cup.

The 39-year-old’s chances of playing for Sunderland would be much stronger because Coleman didn’t sign either Robbin Ruiter or Jason Steele.

Coleman had Konstantopoulos under his wing when he was Coventry City manager and is well aware he kept 22 clean sheets to help Boro secure promotion in 2016.

But Middlesbrough will not want to be left short either and Tony Pulis seems reluctant to hand Tomas Mejias a chance; highlighted by his omission from the FA Cup squad that lost to Brighton on Saturday.

Leeds goalkeeper Andy Lonergan has also been considered by Coleman. The Whites are not interested in allowing the former Preston keeper to leave for nothing, however, and Sunderland will not be paying a fee.

Coleman is desperate to bring in more new faces before the transfer window closes. He has only signed Jake Clarke-Salter from Chelsea on loan and he brought in winger Kazenga LuaLua on a short-term deal on Thursday.

The Sunderland manager has had a long list of names to move on but has found deals harder to do than he had hoped.

He has insisted many of the deals that he thought could be done were not the result of players’ decisions and circumstance.

Liverpool did not want to let Ben Woodburn leave on loan whereas Jon Walters had to have surgery when Coleman had hoped that he could have got the Burnley forward.

Martin is the striker Coleman has his sights on now but knows he might have to move on to another target if things don’t move quickly. Hearts’ Kyle Lafferty and Manchester City youngster Lukas Nmecha are also on the radar.

Coleman was encouraged yesterday to see Jonny Williams make his return to action.

The creative midfielder, who worked under Coleman for Wales, made a successful comeback as the Under-23s lost 3-1 to Arsenal.

The manager was a satisfied onlooker at Eppleton where Williams got through the game unscathed.

The former Crystal Palace man suffered a shoulder injury during a 2-2 draw with Millwall on November 18 and had to undergo surgery. He did suffer a fall on it on the hour yesterday but felt no ill-effects.

Williams was withdrawn after 80 minutes when the Gunners had already done enough to win the game.

Sunderland: Stryjek, J Robson, Hume, Embleton, Taylor, Storey, Williams, Hackett, Connelly, Diamond, Kimpioka. Subs: Brotherton, Woud, Allan, Young, Kokolo.