PHIL PARKINSON has admitted that talks have taken place with Rangers aimed at Sunderland securing the services of midfielder Greg Docherty this month.

The Black Cats are working hard to add to their squad following last Friday’s recruitment of another former Ger in striker Kyle Lafferty.

Now Parkinson, who revealed there will not be any transfer deals concluded before Saturday’s trip to MK Dons, wants to bring in Docherty too.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard said earlier today that he wanted the 23-year-old to head out on loan again to gain more first team football, even though he still likes him. Sunderland hope to get it tied up next week.

“Greg is a player we have looked at and we have had initial chats,” said Parkinson. “There is a number of those chats going on. We will concentrate on the weekend and then we will see after that.

“A lot of clubs now have someone in the club managing the loans. Kevin Ball does that for us. You want your player out on loan to be a good fit, similar to our players going out, it is crucial and clubs are looking at every aspects of loans.”

Sunderland’s recent six-match unbeaten run, including last weekend’s crushing 4-0 win over leaders Wycombe, has raised promotion hopes again and the manager thinks that will help bring new faces in.

He said: “Plenty of players are linked, that's always the case, the fact we have had a good Christmas helps because players want to be part of a successful team.

"Potential signings can look at recent results and think I want to be part of that. It is up to us to look at potential players to fit in the squad.

“At moment there is nothing going to happen prior to the weekend, in or out, we have to concentrate on what we get in to make sure we are strong.”

Sunderland do not have any fresh injury problems ahead of the trip to MK Dons and Parkinson has reported that Tom Flanagan is fit.

He said: “Flanagan’s scan was clear, he joined in training today and its good news for us. theres nothing fresh from the weekend.”