The January transfer window will be critical for Chris Coleman as he looks to guide Sunderland out of relegation trouble and the new manager is already identifying new players to bring in.

The North East club have already been linked with the likes of Danny Ward and Ben Woodburn and the Sunderland Echo are reporting that Bolton's Gary Madine has emerged as a target for Coleman.

Madine has six goals to his name this season for the Black Cats relegation rivals, which included a brace on Saturday that helped lift the Trotters out of the relegation zone.

The powerful striker scored nine goals as Phil Parkinson's men won promotion to the Championship last season and has played in the second tier for Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday over the years.

Sunderland's need for a striker could be desperate should Bournemouth take advantage of a recall clause in Lewis Grabban's loan deal.

He has been one rare positive for the Wearside club this season, notching 11 goals in 16 games. That has prompted the likes of Wolves and Fulham to show an interest and the Cherries may be interested in selling Grabban on a permanent basis.

The Verdict

Sunderland have to be prepared for life without Lewis Grabban as you'd have to imagine that Bournemouth will look to cash in on him and unfortunately the Black Cats can't compete financially with those clubs interested.

Whether Gary Madine is a suitable replacement is extremely debatable, but you can't argue with how he has played this season and every fan will have faith in Chris Coleman to get the best out of him.

Fans will also be glad to see that the club are trying to be proactive and looking to get players in as soon as the window opens.

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