The deadline day race against time to ensure any new Sunderland signings can face Swindon

Sunderland face a race against the clock to land new signings – if they want to play in Saturday’s League One clash at Swindon Town.
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Phil Parkinson is keen to strengthen his defensive options following to injuries to Arbenit Xhemajli and Morgan Feeney, with Denver Hume also a doubt for the visit to Wiltshire.

While the Sunderland boss conceded it was unlikely he would land any new faces on deadline day, he didn’t completely close the door on additions before today’s 5pm deadline.

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But if the Black Cats want any potential new signing to be available for the Swindnon trip, they will have to ensure that all the necessary paperwork is lodged with the EFL no later than Noon today – for this is the registration deadline for players to be eligible for Saturday’s games.

The deadline day race against time to ensure any new Sunderland signings can face SwindonThe deadline day race against time to ensure any new Sunderland signings can face Swindon
The deadline day race against time to ensure any new Sunderland signings can face Swindon

It’s important to note that players can still be announced by the club after Noon, but their paperwork must be approved by that cut-off point.

Should any potential signing not be registered in time, then they could play against Crewe on Tuesday, October 20.

Speaking about transfers on Thursday, Parkinson said: “Arbenit’s injury certainly changed our thought process in terms of the transfer market.

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“However, the loan market, certainly the players we had targeted within it, is proving a difficult one.

“The money we can offer in terms of the salary cap is not enough to tempt clubs to come to us.

"Because of that, I think managers are looking at it and saying, 'well, we've got a lot of games coming up and it's only ten weeks until the next transfer window. Let's just keep out squads together.'”

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