This by no means requires the Black Cats to replace their entire starting XI - their progress this season shows they have more than enough quality to be a solid Championship side - but added strength in depth wouldn’t go amiss on Wearside.
Whether that is adding younger players to their ranks with the aim of them becoming first-team regulars in seasons to come, or by adding established EFL talents to help the team in the short-term, there are plenty of options out there that Sunderland could target when the window reopens.
Here, we take a look at 15 players that Sunderland could look to sign in January from across the EFL.
Would any of these be good additions to Mowbray’s squad? Follow us on our social media channels and let us know your thoughts there:
Here, we take a look at 15 players that Sunderland could look to sign in January from across the EFL.
![Hull and Estupinan started the season in sensational form - but Hull have seen their momentum stall somewhat recently. Estupinan has eight goals so far this season and although this is his first campaign in England, has already proven he can be a major threat in the Championship.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjUzYTUyYWE5LTM2MmQtNGQ4Ny04ODkyLWQzMzIzMDNhNzNlMTpkYmZiMzgwMy02MTRlLTRhODctOTAzYS04MWU3YjVhMTBlOGU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Oscar Estupinan
Hull and Estupinan started the season in sensational form - but Hull have seen their momentum stall somewhat recently. Estupinan has eight goals so far this season and although this is his first campaign in England, has already proven he can be a major threat in the Championship. Photo: George Wood
![El Mizouni has starred for Leyton Orient whilst on-loan from Ipswich Town this season with Orient currently sitting pretty in 2nd place. Another young midfielder, El Mizouni could bring creativity and a spark of magic to Sunderland’s midfield.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjJjOTAyNGE2LWI4YTEtNDc1Mi04OThhLWFjMTVlMGJhYjMzOTo4NTIyNzk5Ni03OGRkLTQwMjUtOGQ2ZS1hZDU1ZDkyYmIzZWI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Idris El Mizouni
El Mizouni has starred for Leyton Orient whilst on-loan from Ipswich Town this season with Orient currently sitting pretty in 2nd place. Another young midfielder, El Mizouni could bring creativity and a spark of magic to Sunderland’s midfield. Photo: Justin Setterfield
![Preston have been fantastic at the back this season and Storey is a major reason for this. Storey, who was on-loan at Sheffield Wednesday last season, has played in all but one of Preston’s league games this season and is developing into a really solid and reliable centre-back.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmQxNTA4ODEzLTRiOWEtNGZhNy04ODY4LTEwNDQ2ZmM3NmMyNDpiN2Q0YzI4YS0yOTlkLTQ0NGYtODc3MS0xZDkwY2E2MTMzYmE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Jordan Storey
Preston have been fantastic at the back this season and Storey is a major reason for this. Storey, who was on-loan at Sheffield Wednesday last season, has played in all but one of Preston’s league games this season and is developing into a really solid and reliable centre-back. Photo: Lewis Storey
![O’Hare had been linked with numerous moves away from Coventry this summer but a hamstring injury on the eve of the season means he is yet to feature for the Sky Blues this season. He’s edging closer to a return and will be wanting to show all the reasons why he was linked with a move to some of the biggest clubs in the division just a few months ago.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmUxODU5YTE2LTU2MjUtNGQ2Mi04NTkyLWRhMGMxZWRkZDk2ZjoyZDU1YzRmNC02OWY4LTQ1MjQtOTk3MC04YmFjNzUxNmEzMDk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Callum O’Hare
O’Hare had been linked with numerous moves away from Coventry this summer but a hamstring injury on the eve of the season means he is yet to feature for the Sky Blues this season. He’s edging closer to a return and will be wanting to show all the reasons why he was linked with a move to some of the biggest clubs in the division just a few months ago. Photo: Nathan Stirk