Sunderland have no time to allow their first January signing to find his feet in the Championship.
Sunderland are set to confirm the loan signing of Chelsea defender Jake Clarke-Salter, according to the Evening Standard.
Chris Coleman’s transfer kitty is minimal this January, but he has at least been able to secure the services of a promising youngster until the end of the season.
But is that really what Sunderland need right now?
The Black Cats have consistently signed young defenders in recent seasons, with Donald Love, Tyias Browning and Brendan Galloway all arriving at the Stadium of Light – the latter two similarly penning temporary deals.
And there is no doubt that, at times, Sunderland have suffered for the inexperience in their back line.
Love has struggled to nail down a first team place, while Galloway’s poor form has him completely out of the picture. Even Browning, who has largely impressed, has cost the Black Cats key points in matches this season with naive errors.
Coleman’s men are running out of time if they are to avoid the embarrassment of a second consecutive relegation and so results are key.
Clarke-Salter has played only once in the Premier League and just 12 times in League One; Sunderland cannot afford to give him time to settle and potentially lose more matches.
The options are limited for Coleman but additional signings will need to have the know-how to deal with this precarious situation.
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