Jack Ross on Charlie Wyke, striker search and the latest on Sunderland's wantaway players

Sunderland are continuing to pursue a deal for Bradford City's Charlie Wyke, but Jack Ross admits that the club are having to be patient.
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Wyke is the top target for Ross, but with a minimum of two attackers still needed before the transfer window shuts, other deals are being considered.

25-year-old Wyke has a number of suitors and is currently recovering from an injury picked up in pre-season.

Bradford City striker Charlie WykeBradford City striker Charlie Wyke
Bradford City striker Charlie Wyke
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Ross said: “That’s one we are continuing to pursue. We want to get him, I think that’s well-documented, and the club has been very patient in its pursuit although that will have to come to an end one way or another soon – hopefully in our favour.”

Ross still hopes to strengthen before the weekend but remains relaxed and says the club will make additions before the window shuts on August 9th.

He said: “Potentially [in before the weekend] We’ve been working really hard on bringing in a striker.

“We need an out-and-out striker and maybe another one, and I hope we might get one in before the weekend – maybe, possibly!

“I honestly don’t worry about it.

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“I’m enjoy working with the players on the training pitch so much, and how responsive they’ve been, that I don’t get uptight about it really, what will be I’ll be.

“I’m confident that we’ll address before August 9th, we almost certainly will. That’s probably why I’m relaxed because I believe it will and I probably take comfort from that.”

Ross also admitted that the club may have to assess its options regarding want away players, with Didier Ndong and Papy Djilobodji still absent from the Academy of Light.

Lamine Kone is on Wearside but is not working with the first team squad as he seeks a move away.

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The club remain hopeful that all three can be moved on before the deadline shuts.

Ross added that Bryan Oviedo, who is also expected to leave, has trained ‘very well’ since returning from World Cup duties and that he will be considered for as long as he stays the club.

He said: “It’s something that potentially we will have to address as a club if the window closes.

“The loan window extends until the end of August so until then we have a bit of time to assess.

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“I’ll put my argument forward in terms of what is best on the training pitch and the football side and that will be tempered by Stewart and the board and the financial aspect of that club.

“I’m sensible enough to understand that.

“The players fall into different categories at the moment,” he added.

“Ndong and Djilobodji haven’t shown up, which I have my own opinions on as a former footballer and so on.

“Lamine has said that he doesn’t want to be here, which is fine.

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“Bryan has come back from the World Cup and trained really well every day since, so there’s no issue.

“Those that come back and display that type of attitude, as long as the club is happy for them to be here then they’ll always be considered.

“The ones that don’t, in an ideal world we don’t want them anywhere near what we’re doing going forward.”