Sunderland AFC news: Allardyce targets European signings, winger looking to leave, Harper on fan reaction

Sam Allardyce and his scouting team have been taking a closer look at transfer targets on the continent after the 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jan 2016, 12:51 BST
Updated 25th Jan 2016, 12:54 BST
Sunderland boss Sam AllardyceSunderland boss Sam Allardyce
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce

The transfer window closes a week today and Allardyce wasted no time checking on potential new signings over the weekend.

Allardyce said: "I was off yesterday morning somewhere in Europe, as well as the other scouts.

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"We'll meet up today and tomorrow, and try to nail the targets we need to nail.

"Every waking hour for everybody on recruitment is to look at as many players as we possibly can."

Read the full story here: Meanwhile, Allardyce has explained why Sunderland new signing Dame N’Doye was limited to an unused substitute’s role against Bournemouth.

On-loan Trabzonspor striker N’Doye was included in the Sunderland squad for the first time on Saturday, yet the Senegal international did not emerge from the bench, despite the Black Cats’ desperate need for victory.

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With Bournemouth dominating in the middle of the park, Allardyce felt his side would have been too vulnerable if he had brought on an extra striker and opted to keep N’Doye in reserve.

The Black Cats boss revealed he will play "sooner, rather than later" though, with Manchester City the next visitors to the Stadium of Light a week on Tuesday.

Read the full story here: And finally, new signing Steve Harper has lifted the lid on the reaction from Newcastle United fans since he joined the Black Cats.

Harper played for Sunderland's fierce rivals for 20-years but he is now No 3 at Sunderland after Allardyce moved to sign him on a free following his release from Hull City in the summer.

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Harper said: "I think I am the first to do it in the new social media age so I read the script and deactivated my Twitter account before I signed so as not to get involved.

"But every message I have had from friends, ex-colleagues and even genuine, hard core Newcastle fans have said: 'great to see you back in the game and good luck'."

Read his comments in full here:

On-loan Sunderland winger Will Buckley is looking to extend his loan spell at Championship side Birmingham City.

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Related topics:Sunderland AFCEuropeManchester City