ALEX NEIL admits Sunderland’s attempts to strengthen their attacking ranks are currently being stymied by clubs refusing to release their players.

The Black Cats continued their pre-season preparations as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Serie A side Roma in sweltering conditions in Portugal this morning.

Leon Dajaku led the line as Sunderland lost to two second-half goals, with Ross Stewart unavailable because of injury. The Scotsman’s problem is not serious, with the decision to leave him out of the squad more of a precautionary measure, but his absence nevertheless underlined the lack of attacking options available to Neil with the start of the new Championship season now just over a fortnight away.

Sunderland have held talks over a number of forward players, but a loan offer for Troy Parrott remains on hold with the Republic of Ireland international currently on Tottenham’s pre-season tour of South Korea and an attempt to re-sign Nathan Broadhead has been frustrated by Everton’s current refusal to entertain offers for the Welshman.

“I certainly wouldn’t say I’m relaxed (about the situation), but then I wouldn’t say I’m relaxed about most things concerning my team,” said Neil, who has recruited Daniel Ballard and Jack Clarke so far this summer, as well as agreeing new deals with Lynden Gooch, Bailey Wright and Patrick Roberts.

“We need to add to that area, plain and simple. That’s there for everyone to see. But equally, it’s about other parties as well.”

Stewart trained with Sunderland’s physios on Monday rather than take part in a full session with the rest of the group, but Neil is confident his fellow Scotsman is not suffering from a serious issue.

Similarly, while Wright was deemed not to be ready for today’s game following his international exertions with Australia, the centre-half should feature in Saturday’s friendly at Dundee United.

“Ross just wasn’t quite ready for today’s game,” explained Neil. “It’s nothing too significant. Obviously, we had players who weren’t completely in their normal position, but I thought they adjusted quite well. Bailey has been a little bit behind, but I’d fully expect him to be involved on Saturday.”

Luke O’Nien was substituted before the half-time interval of today’s defeat, with Neil admitting he was asked to withdraw the midfielder to ensure he did not receive a red card following a stray elbow.

“Unfortunately, we had to make a change with Luke before half-time,” he said. “I think he’s a bit unfortunate. He goes up for a header, and catches the lad with his arm, which I didn’t think was meant. But the referee informed me that if we didn’t take him off, he was going to send him off.

“If that’s the case, then they handled that situation well really because it is a friendly, at the end of the day. In terms of the work ethic, and a lot of the things that we tried to do, I was pleased with what the lads offered up.”