JACK ROSS is happy with Sunderland’s January transfer business, satisfied in the belief that his squad is stronger now than it was at the turn of the year.

The £4m capture of Will Grigg was finally confirmed yesterday morning after a protracted chase that saw the Black Cats finally get the Northern Ireland frontman after a sixth bid was accepted.

While top scorer Josh Maja departed for Bordeaux, Ross feels he has replaced his 16 goals with a striker of some pedigree.

After signing Kazaiah Sterling on loan from Tottenham until the end of the season, Ross had already landed Grant Leadbitter and Lewis Morgan this week, while Jimmy Dunne moved earlier in the month.

Grigg, the biggest transfer fee recorded in League One, won’t play at the Stadium of Light against AFC Wimbledon today because an ankle injury. The paperwork was signed off by the FA yesterday morning.

Ross said: “You hope to come out of the window in a stronger position or not weaker – and I think we are.

“We have a loan until the end of the season, a young player with a huge amount of potential in a forward area. We already had Grant and Lewis in and we had a bid accepted, a very late bid for Will Grigg.

“We were close to the deadline. We were in a difficult position from late on in that we sold our top scorer with a week or so to go and any club could find that challenging.

“It makes it difficult in a limited amount of time and good teams don’t want to lose their best players. It was difficult to try and strengthen in that time period and we would prefer to do things early.

“We would like to get our business done earlier, but thankfully we got there in the end.’’

The Black Cats were without a game last weekend and go into today’s encounter in fifth spot, nine points off top with three games in hand on leaders Luton.

And, while there’s an excitement about what may lie ahead in the coming weeks and months, Ross was happy to point out that, for all their January additions, the squad hasn’t done badly.

“We have to say that the squad has had a good season to date. I don’t get the apparent rush to sign new players as this squad has done well, and in a good position and in a semi-final of a cup competition,’’ he said.

“I feel the signings have added value to the squad. Jimmy Dunne is a position we needed, Grant Leadbitter is a real good player and determined to bring success to this club and the obvious one we needed was a striker with Josh Maja leaving.

“I feel we are in a good position now.’’

Leadbitter’s arrival from Middlesbrough is something of a coup for the club. A former Black Cats midfielder, Leadbitter has only been a bit-part player at Boro this season under Tony Pulis, but has earned plenty of respect for his professionalism and attitude.

Ross said: “Grant is a player who knows this club inside out and knows what it is all about. I think, for me, it was a football decision and we have options in that area but I feel we need someone in there to control games more – especially after we have gone ahead in games.

“Grant is proven at a higher level than the one we are operating in and that shows by the opportunities he had to stay in the Championship. It’s about creating a squad and how we want to move on together.

“I should leave behind a strong squad. If I was to leave here tomorrow or in five years then I would like to think I have improved the squad and left behind a Sunderland squad which people can be proud of. I’ve learned that in the job and Grant very much fits that profile.

“He has a desire to take this club back up the leagues and that determination is very clear in the days he has trained this week.’’

Ross worked with Morgan at St Mirren last season before the wide man moved to Celtic in the summer.

He has arrived on loan for the rest of the season and Ross is happy coaching a player he knows all about.

“Lewis gives us options and it is the chance to work with a player I can trust,’’ he said. “As a young lad his attitude and character fits into what we are trying to do.

“We haven’t got many natural wide options and to have another is a plus for us – Lewis can play either side as he is two-footed. He strengthens the competition in the squad which is important.’’

Today’s opponents were the FA Cup heroes of last weekend when they beat West Ham 4-2. In League One, however, it’s a different story as they sit nine points from safety.

“I have spoken often enough about how tough this league is and a number of results in cup games this season have proved the strength of this league,’’ added Ross.

“It’s competitive throughout and look what Wimbledon did to West Ham. I’m sure they will come to us in a positive frame of mind, not just winning the game but in the manner they did it. I expect it to be tough and our motivation is there for us to see and they won’t want to become detached in their position.’’