Phil Parkinson explains exactly where Sunderland stand with the two January additions they still want to make

Phil Parkinson remains keen on two additions in the final days of the transfer window, but admits he is not sure yet whether those deals will be done.
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The Black Cats boss enjoyed a major breakthrough on Monday night, signing Josh Scowen from QPR.

Central midfield had been one of his key areas of concern and he revealed on Tuesday that negotiations over signing the 26-year-old began in December.

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He is waiting on developments with other long-term targets, with the window set to shut at 11pm on Friday.

Phil Parkinson still wants to strengthen his Sunderland squad this weekPhil Parkinson still wants to strengthen his Sunderland squad this week
Phil Parkinson still wants to strengthen his Sunderland squad this week

“We'd still like another addition, maybe two, but it might be none, that's the way it is and that's me just telling the truth,” Parkinson said.

“As much as Josh took a while, Bailey took a while, they were two we wanted initially, and there's one or two where we're still waiting on clubs who want to get in a player themselves [before they let them go].

“We're pleased with what we've got, if we get more additions, great.”

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The arrival of Scowen adds quality and competition to an area that had previously have been a concern, while many supporters have voiced their concern that the team could be left short at wing-back and in the attacking midfield roles.

Parknson confirmed those are the areas he will look to strengthen.

“That's more or less where we’re working towards,” he said.

“Left wing-back is a difficult position to fill.

“We have got Luke O'Nien who can play there because he is two-footed.

Conor McLaughlin is a very good wing-back and has played there a lot in his career, particularly at Fleetwood.

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“Goochy can play there but, of course, we ideally don't want to take him away from where is playing because is flourishing.

“We're working towards that but we've been in a situation where with one or two targets, we just can't get them over the line and I can assure you it's not financial.

“It's just purely, one particular player, a club won't let him go until he signs a new contract, and those talks have dragged on. Another one has other Championship options.

“We're working on that, if it happens, good, if not, we'll run with what we've got.”