CARL Robinson is backing himself to hit the goal trail for Sunderland and ease the pressure on strikers Marcus Stewart and Kevin Kyle.

The midfielder, one of the Wearsiders' summer acquisitions, grabbed his second goal in two games in the 3-1 win at Doncaster on Sunday, then targeted double figures for the new campaign.

Mick McCarthy has been linked with a host of strikers in the pre-season - the latest being Argentinian Maximiliano Lopez - but he will be depending on more support from midfield if he fails to make a breakthrough in the transfer market before Saturday's opener at Coventry.

With Kyle sidelined by a hip injury, Stewart is likely to be partnered by youngster Stephen Elliott unless a new face arrives before Friday's deadline.

Robinson appreciates the onus will be on every outfield player to ensure Sunderland's start isn't hindered by a lack of goals.

"When I was breaking through at 20 or 21 I always set myself a target of ten goals a season and I'll be looking at doing that this season," said the 27-year-old former Portsmouth man.

"If I don't hit that target I'll be quite disappointed. It just helps the centre forwards if a midfielder can weigh in with goals.

"Sometimes they have off-days and if there are goals coming from the middle of the park, the wings or the full back positions then it helps to take the pressure off."

While McCarthy's search for a striker hasn't yet become desperate, his desire to strengthen in the forward department is clear.

The collapse of Nathan Blake's transfer at the weekend was a massive blow.

The former Wolves player, who instead signed for Micky Adams at Leicester, said: "I had an inkling something might happen with Leicester. I was up at Sunderland for four days, was about to have a medical then I got the phone call.

"Micky Adams insisted I come down and at least talk, which I did. I was happy with things so I just got the deal done."

The latest player linked with the striker vacancy is 20-year-old Lopez, who plays for River Plate and scored the winning goal against Panathinaikos in the Amsterdam tournament over the weekend.

But with the transfer fee of around £3m mentioned, any deal would have to be short-term.

Robinson, however, has no fears about the Black Cats going into the new campaign with 20-year-old Elliott and 19-year-old Chris Brown fighting for the right to partner Stewart.

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