Chris Coleman has admitted he is frustrated that Sunderland have been unable to bring in a striker ahead of their crucial relegation clash against Hull City tomorrow.

The Black Cats haven’t scored a goal in 2018 and have lost their only two senior strikers – James Vaughan and top scorer Lewis Grabban.

And, despite links to several attacking players in the past week, no deal was been struck by the midday deadline today.

That means bottom of the table Sunderland go into tomorrow’s game against 20th placed Hull with teenagers Joshua Maja and Joel Osoro as their only attacking options.

Understandably, this has left the former Wales boss annoyed but he stressed to the Sunderland Echo that the board have backed him and also added that one deal was particularly close to completion.

“The player wants to come, but through no fault of the club we have been dealing with, they have been let down trying to bring a player in, and that meant we can't get what we want.”

“It was all lined up, it's all ready, and so it's been really frustrating. It would have given us a boost going into this game tomorrow to have a few fresh faces in.”

The Verdict

Tomorrow’s game is absolutely massive with three points separating the sides so Coleman will know how important the lack of action in the market could be.

Whilst the manager is keen to defend the board, Sunderland have known for months that Grabban would be leaving straight away and they also sanctioned the sale of Vaughan without a replacement.

We’re now three weeks into the window and it’s not acceptable that Sunderland are going into a six-pointer with two unproven teenage strikers. The fans deserve better.

Thoughts, Sunderland supporters? Let us know in the comments below.