JET-LAGGED Sunderland manager Peter Reid will be back at his desk today after a hectic five-day scouting mission in Argentina.

And the Wearside boss, determined to bring in new talent ahead of this month's deadline, will be considering all his transfer options before reaching for his chequebook.

Reid, who added another £1.2m to his already burgeoning warchest after the sale of full-back Chris Makin, has put his scouting system on full alert as he searches for a play-making midfielder and a top-notch striker to bolster his squad in a desperate bid to win a European spot.

And his search for a front-man could intensify if he does not get encouraging news today about Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn, who has seen a specialist about his recurring back injury.

The big Dubliner limped out of Black Cats' last game, the 1-1 home draw against Aston Villa, and before leaving for South America with chairman Bob Murray Reid arranged for Quinn to have a thorough examination.

Reid is hoping that Quinn will have benefited from a break from Premiership action and he will study medical reports carefully before deciding if he can play the Irishman in Saturday's tough away game at Chelsea. Kevin Phillips will also return after serving a two-match suspension.

Quinn is desperate to throw off his injury and play a part in Sunderland's battle for European qualification over the remaining nine games of the season. But he knows he must be guided by expert advice if he wants to avoid a breakdown which would also rule him out of the Republic's World Cup qualifying games against Cyprus and Andorra.

The Sunderland manager knows he can call on the services of reserve striker Danny Dichio, but if Quinn looks like being a casualty over the next two months he could well break the club record, which currently stands at £4.5m, to bring in a proven goalscorer to partner Phillips.

Reid, having admitted making a mistake over £1.5m Honduran striker Milton Nunez - signed on the strength of recommendations and video evidence - will not make another major signing without checking out the player personally.

Meanwhile, Sunderland have answered a call for help from former assistant manager Paul Bracewell, who is now at the helm of beleagured Halifax Town, second bottom of the Third Division.

Bracewell has been given permission to take 20-year-old striker Michael Proctor on loan until the end of the season and he is expected to make his debut at Cheltenham on Saturday