FORGOTTEN man Danny Graham could prove to be the biggest beneficiary at the Stadium of Light following the arrival of Jermain Defoe at Sunderland.

Graham’s cameo appearance as Defoe’s replacement at Tottenham on Saturday was described by Gus Poyet as ‘outstanding’ and he will be in the head coach’s thinking for this weekend’s FA Cup tie with Fulham.

While securing the signature of former England striker Defoe will be seen as another indication that Graham will be moved on this month if a buyer can be found, the situation is not as clear cut at that.

Poyet – who replied with “I don’t know, we’ll see” when asked if the 29-year-old will be still at the club beyond the transfer window closing – suddenly finds himself needing Graham’s type in his squad after spending the majority of his reign listening to offers.

Defoe’s move from Toronto last Friday signalled an immediate shift in formation, with Poyet keen to play with two-men up front.

A two-striker system is what the Uruguayan believes best suits his latest signing and he has always preferred such a style provided he felt he had the players suited to it.

Graham, who has emerged from the bench in the last couple of games and impressed, would provide the fresh legs to Defoe in such times, while it is also not inconceivable that the pair could play together as a pairing.

Poyet is still keen to see either Steven Fletcher or Connor Wickham develop a strong understanding with Defoe, although the attitude Graham has shown since returning from a short loan at Wolves has caught the manager’s eye.

“Danny was outstanding at Tottenham,” said Poyet. “Apart from not scoring a goal, he came on, he held the ball up and he ran about. It’s something that we need.

“He’s shown that from the moment he came back from the loan and if he is like that he will get his chance. We don’t have anything against anyone here.

“It’s about how you perform and how sharp you are and how much you deserve to play. If he’s going to help us he’s welcome.”

The former Middlesbrough striker is still to score in a Sunderland shirt. He has only made 11 league starts, four more as a substitute, since leaving Swansea City in a £5m deal approaching two years ago.

Poyet will also recall this time last year when Wickham suddenly found his feet in the Premier League after a successful loan at Sheffield Wednesday. The England Under-21 international’s goals – he scored five in three matches – ended up helping Sunderland stay up.

Sunderland are weighing up other options on the transfer front following the arrival of Defoe. Sources in Canada, meanwhile, have insisted that Sunderland paid a fee to land the 32-year-old, although the Black Cats are adamant it was a straight swap for Jozy Altidore.

Lee Congerton, the Sunderland sporting director, said: “It’s been an education. I had a bit of an understanding (of dealing with Major League Soccer transfers) but in reality it has been a complete swap deal with no money involved.”

While Defoe’s wages – which are understood to be less than the widely reported £70,000-a-week deal – will have had an impact on Sunderland’s recruitment push this month, Poyet is still looking for more.

And Diego Simeone, the Atletico Madrid manager, has hinted that Cristian Rodriguez could yet move on from La Liga this month.

Sunderland got sick of waiting for Rodriguez to make up his mind about a summer switch to Wearside and turned to alternative targets. Simeone, aware of other interest from Galatasaray and QPR, has not ruled out a January sale.

“I’m open to any situation which may occur in the market, but I can’t say anything about Cristian because nothing’s been said officially.” Rodriguez has just over a year remaining on his contract.

* Sunderland's FA Youth Cup fifth round tie with Newcastle will take place at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday, February 4, at 7pm.