SUNDERLAND'S summer transfer plans will become clearer over the course of the next week, with meetings scheduled over the coming days as the Black Cats look ahead.

Tony Mowbray expects Sunderland to "stick to the plan" of signing talented young players with plenty of potential and while the head coach isn't at the forefront of the club's transfer dealings, he will still have a big say on summer recruitment and intends to share his thoughts on what is needed in next week's get-togethers.

The priority for Mowbray is adding depth to a squad that he says has been "stretched to the limit" by injuries this season, with Aji Alese the latest first team star to be ruled out for the rest of the campaign.

"Those meetings are coming in the next week or so," said Mowbray, when quizzed on Sunderland's plans for the summer window.

"I will have an opinion of course, but the club will stick to the greater plan. My job is to pass on my opinion, I think, and see whether it fits in.

"I think the logical progression is to keep improving the team, to make sure in the next windows we improve our squad.

"The squad at this moment is getting really stretched. With four or five injuries we seem pretty deep into the group. For me, it (the next step) would be to improve the depth of the squad and keep going and trying to bring better footballers in if we can.

"They'll have to be pretty good if they're going to be better than what we've got, the likes of Stewart or Roberts or Pritchard or Dan Neil or Ballard. But that is the job, to keep improving the quality of the squad you've got.

"So when the rainy days do come along and you pick up some knocks, the team doesn't feel any weaker, it's just an opportunity for another really good player. That's where I see the progression, to keep deepening the squad."

Sunderland head for Norwich City on Sunday looking to put an end to the mini slump that has seen them lose their last three games and slip to 11th in the Championship table.

Despite the disappointment of those recent setbacks, Mowbray is looking at the bigger picture and urging the fans to stick with his side.

READ MORE:

He said: "My remit was to try and develop the group, try and make sure we weren't in a relegation dogfight where every game is massive pressure and you're scrambling for points.

"For us it's about our performance level each game and generally it's been good in my opinion. We don't batter everybody 4-0, we're not a world-beating team but we are competing in a new league against some teams that have been in the Premier League recently. It's a tough league, it's a very attritional league.

"The expectation of our club was to make sure we're competitive in every game, which we've tried to be. Some games run away from you, some games you get a fortunate win. I think we've generally been competitive for most of the season and we aim to be competitive for the rest of the season, whatever the team. We'll stay positive.

"If I was going to send a message to supporters it would be to stick with the team really, and to really believe in the team."