The transfer business Sunderland still want to do explained and how Phil Parkinson will approach it

After adding Danny Graham to his squad at the start of this week, Parkinson said he was 'nearly there' in his squad building for the upcoming campaign.

He remains keen to make a minimum of one further addition, and would ideally look to do so in the next week.

However, no deals are immiment and the unique situation in the aftermath of the salary cap introduction means he is determined not to rush.

Under the salary cap rules, clubs can only have a total of 22 players in their squad over the age of 21.

Sunderland currently have 21, though that includes Aiden McGeady, who is expected to either leave the club before the window shuts on October 15th, or be left out of the squad.

It still leaves Parkinson's options limited.

He remains eager to bring in natural competition for Denver Hume on the left-hand side.

Lynden Gooch played at left wing-back against Aston Villa U21s and coped well, but is clearly more comfortable further forward.

Luke O'Nien is also capable of deputising for Hume, though he again is far more comfortable on the right flank where he is firmly established as first-choice.

Sunderland's pursuit of Mateo Bajamich also shows that Parkinson is still open to bolstering his attacking options.

The Argentinian striker has caught the eye of the recruitment team with his dynamism in the final third, though the deal is yet to progress in any meaningful way and the player is known to have other suitors besides the Black Cats.

The club are monitoring a number of talented youngsters, who would not count towards the salary cap restrictions.

"That's a position we're looking at [left-back/left wing-back]," Parkinson said.

"We have got players who can play there so it's just weighing up and making the right decisions for the final place or two.

"Obviously as we go along we can still bring U21 players in, if we can identify the ones that are going to make a difference because those players, especially and younger players who come in loan, often want some sort of guarantee that they're going to get first-team football.

"We've got to strike that balance right.

"We're talking to quite a few agents but the spaces we have now are limited," he added.

"I wish they weren't, because there are still players out there we'd like.But they are limited and we have to keep assessing it as we go."

One youngster whose future remains unresolved is Benji Kimpioka.

Parkinson said again on Thursday that there had been no resolution to the 20-year-old's contract impasse.

The Black Cats boss said that there was a 'very fair' contract offer on the table, particularly in the current climate of uncertainty.

Kimpioka and his camp have from day one stressed that they want assurances over his first-team future.

Parkinson has pointed out that he is now six weeks behind the rest of the group in terms of his future.

Should he move elsewhere, Sunderland will be due compensation.

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