Chris Coleman suggests new Sunderland signings will start against Ipswich Town

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Sunderland are set to take on Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Chris Coleman has hinted to the Shields Gazette that four of Sunderland’s new signings will feature at the weekend against Ipswich Town.

Sunderland snapped up Kazenga Lua Lua, Lee Camp, Ashley Fletcher and Ovie Ejaria last month, with Coleman significantly strengthening his squad.

And the Welsh boss has suggested that the quartet are all ready to feature for Sunderland straight away.

He said: “Kaz was fighting for fitness and that appearance at Birmingham will do him the world of good.

“Ashley Fletcher played 50-odd minutes last weekend (for Boro), so he’s OK physically. Ovie played 90 minutes at the weekend, U23s football albeit, but 90 minutes all the same.

“Lee Camp has had five lots of 90 minutes recently. That is U23 games as well, but still it is football and keepers are slightly different anyway.

“They’re all ready to play a big part at the weekend.”

Sunderland only had a limited budget last month, which has meant that all their additions were brought in on loan.

The Black Cats need their new signings to hit the ground running, as they are running out of time to save themselves.

Sunderland have won just five league matches all season, and currently sit in 23rd place in the Championship table.

Coleman’s side were beaten 3-1 by Birmingham City in their last outing, which has raised concern that they could suffer back-to-back relegations.

If Sunderland can beat Ipswich at the weekend, they could move up as high as 19th in the Championship standings, which would represent significant progress.