NIALL QUINN expects to learn today whether Andy Reid will be arriving at Sunderland after tabling another bid for the Tottenham left winger.

Quinn insists he was left encouraged by the Black Cats' defeat to Birmingham City last night - his second reversal inside four days of Championship football.

But the Sunderland manager also suggested if he is to take the club forward then he needs more creativity from his squad, which will be helped if he can bolster the numbers.

He is waiting to hear back from Leicester about versatile defender Alan Maybury and he has secured Barcelona B captain Arnau Riera on a three-year deal.

But he knows he needs established top-flight players to help his cause.

"We are looking to new players to freshen things up but in terms of desire I can't fault what my players are giving," said Quinn.

"I have to convince a couple of Premiership players to help us. I have three bids in for Premiership players and we'll see how things turn out. I hope to hear from one on Thursday."

Given the way they have lost their opening two games it would be no surprise to learn that the players are frustrated and despondent.

But Quinn said: "I'm not as disappointed as Sunday. My players played for 90 minutes which gave us confidence to go forward.

"We have played the best team in the division and gave it a go. At Coventry we played for 70 minutes. They showed me heart which means I can work with them and we need creativity on the training ground. As long as we have desire to put things right it augurs well."

Quinn hoped for a full-house inside the Stadium of Light last night but only 27,000 turned out. "I was aware that we are in the middle of the builders' holiday and thousands are on holiday," said Quinn.

"But I would like them back on Saturday to see us play Plymouth. We have improved from Sunday and we want to go and win matches for them. The fans here were superb and they stayed with us throughout."

The Blues have taken maximum points from their first two games, leaving manager Steve Bruce understandably pleased. But he rubbished suggestions that this is a good time to play Sunderland and believes the arrival of Quinn should ensure a promotion push.

"Quinny has come back and knows what it means to the people of Sunderland," said Bruce. "It was going to be tough because it was his first game but we deserved the victory."