Everything Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson said on transfers in his latest update

The Black Cats boss remains keen on adding 'one or two' players to his group before the window shuts on October 15th.

Cover and competition for Denver Hume has been a priority, but Parkinson has been paused to reflect on his plans after young defender Morgan Feeney suffered a serious injury.

Parkinson is considering going back into the market for more defensive cover, but knows that the salary cap rules mean adding a senior player in that position could restrict him elsewhere.

"That's the dilemma," Parkinson said.

"The picture changes a lot, as well.

"There's one or two U21s we've looked at, players come available who you didn't think would be and then ones that you thought wouldn't be suddenly are.

"Then you get an injury yourself.

"We've just got to make sure we make the right, logical decisions to add to the balance we've already got.

"We'll get the weekend out the way and then sit down on Monday and reflect on where we are, and what the options are available to us."

Parkinson is continuing to monitor the loan market, but is wary that many Premier League youngsters want guarantees on minutes that he may not be able to offer.

The Black Cats boss also pointed out that in the ever-changing market, there could also be players without a club who had initially hoped to land a Championship move who could yet be available as things develop.

The impact of the latest COVID-19 developments

The footballing world was rocked this week when the Government announced that it would 'pause' plans to bring supporters back into stadiums from October 1st.

EFL Chairman Rick Parry quickly voiced his frustration with that decision, and warned that clubs through the league pyramid were facing a loss of around £200 million.

Sunderland, who were hoping to bring back around 11,000 fans to the Stadium of Light, are not immune.

Parkinson, though, does not believe that will affect his final moves in the market even if the club has to keep the 'bigger picture' in mind.

"When that announcement was made, everyone of course takes a deep breath," Parkinson explained.

"There's one or two that we're speaking to and we put things on hold for a couple of days just to take stock of the situation.

"I think everyone has done the same, every agent I've spoken to said they had the same response from all the managers.

"It is one of those where the picture constantly changes and you've got to adapt to that.

"The club have other things to consider as well, with people still on furlough etc," he added.

"But equally, the owner of the club wants us to have us the strongest possible squad out on the pitch.

"We want to give the area a lift by winning games and getting up near the top of the table.

"The better players we've got, and the better competition we've got, gives us the chance to do that.

"What we can spend is pretty much set in stone anyway with the salary cap, so it's just about being realistic, weighing everything up, which we're trying to do."

The inside track on Denver Hume’s continued rise

Hume's continued excellent form on the left flank is of course reassuring for Parkinson, even as he seeks to make an addition in that part of the pitch.

The academy graduate has played a prominent role in two of Sunderland's three league goals and, just as he was last season, has been a constant outlet for his side.

What has encouraged Parkinson above and beyond that is that he also believes he is seeing an improvement in his defensive aggression and quality.

Hume can expect competition to arrive in the not too distant future but Parkinson wants to ensure that there remain plenty of opportunities for the 22-year-old to keep developing.

The shirt is very much his for the time being.

"Denver's an improving player," Parkinson said.

"There is more to come from and he knows that himself.

"He's got the shirt and if we bring someone else in, then it's got to be someone who is good enough to play in the team.

Phil Smith’s Sunderland AFC column: Luke Garbutt, Denver Hume & the transfer conundrum still to be solved three windows on

"At the moment, it's Denver's shirt and he is relishing that.

"Without a doubt [we've worked on his defensive game]," he added.

"To be a top player, you've got to be able to do everything.

"There were ingredients in Denver's game that he needed to improve on, and I feel he came back like a man after the lockdown and he's shown that in his performances.

"There are still areas that we want him to get better at, but every day in training his levels are right up there.

"Quite often he'll end up against Luke O'Nien in training, in a practice game or an 8-v-8, and those two push each other which is good to see.

"If you look at those two, they have the athleticism to wear the opposition wing-backs down.

"Their physical stats back that up, they are really top end, what they produced at the weekend.

"You could see as the game wore on how difficult they were for the opposition players.

"It's that kind of relentlessness we need from individuals and from the team as a collective.

"He's one of our own players who has come up from the academy, so we want him to do well and at the moment, he's got the shirt. He's got to keep it now."

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