The situation may look bleak for Sunderland, with the club lying second-bottom in the Sky Bet Championship, but with new boss Chris Coleman at the helm, fans will retain a quiet hope that their side can avoid the drop this season.

The former Wales boss rescinded his role with the national side to take up the reigns at The Stadium of Light, guiding the Blacks Cats to a 2-0 victory over relegation rivals Burton Albion in his first game in charge of the club.

There was nothing the 47-year-old could do to halt the club’s abysmal run of home games without a win however, with defeat to Reading meaning it is almost a year since the club have tasted victory on Wearside.

Coleman’s budget will be next to nothing in January, and he will have to sell before he can buy, and the manager must target experienced heads in the winter window if his side are to be guided away from their current predicament.

With that in mind, Coleman must target deals for these two players…

James Collins

The 34-year-old Welshman struck up an excellent working relationship with Coleman during his tenure as national team boss, and could be tempted to reunite with his former manager in the near future.

Collins’ opportunities at current club West Ham are few and far between, and with the player approaching the latter stages of his career, Collins will know that he needs game time very soon.

Dubbed ‘the Ginger Pele’ by sections of the Hammers support, the former Cardiff City and Aston Villa man would provide significant quality and depth to a Sunderland back-line that has leaked goals for fun this season, and Coleman must convince the player to join his revolution in the north east.

Rob Green

Sunderland need a reliable goalkeeper, and Green could be the perfect man for the job.

The former England shot-stopper has come up against Coleman on numerous occasions during his lengthy career, and could finally be offered the opportunity to work alongside the manager at this late stage of his football adventure.

The 37-year-old joined Huddersfield Town in the summer from Leeds United but is yet to make a Premier League appearance for the Terriers, consigned to the sidelines as a perennial bench warmer.

Green only has a couple of years left at the top, and could see out his playing days as the number one at The Stadium of Light.

Sunderland will surely improve in future years if they can survive the drop this season, and Green should take a chance on the Black Cats.

If Coleman can pull a deal off, then his goalkeeping crisis will be instantly resolved.

Black Cats fans, who would you like to see signed in the new year? Have your say below...