Connor Wickham heading to Wearside

Wickham scores for Ipswich Town

When I first found out about our interest in Connor Wickham, I have to say I was surprised that we were going for that calibre of player, pleasantly surprised though. I know he's not a major world star but he has been attracting the attention of clubs like Liverpool and Chelsea in the past, and the former were odds on favourite to acquire the signature of the Ipswich starlet. Us Sunderland fans know all too well that Liverpool aren't afraid to splash the cash, with Jordan Henderson completing his move to Merseyside earlier on in the month. However this deal looks to be one that they aren't interested in pursuing any further, and the £13m price tag may be the reason. They already have ex-Newcastle striker Andy Carroll, Uruguayan talent Luis Suarez, Kop favourite Durk Kuyt and back up in the form of David N'Gog, a player that has been heavily linked with a move north to The Stadium of Light.

Although I would be very impressed with Bruce if he does pull this deal off, I still think we need another striker that has proved himself in the Premier League, at the moment we only have one fit striker that we know is capable of playing at this level, I'm sure Wickham will adapt in time but at the moment, an 18 year old player at a new club thrown into the deep end isn't who you want to be relying on to score goals and help assist them. Ji Dong-Won is the other striker that we have all but signed this transfer window, but again, at 20 years of age and no experience of the Premier League, I have my doubts about him making an instant impact.

With this in mind, I'd like to see us go for a striker that has played at this level before and is at a good, mature age to make an instant impact, somebody like Kevin Doyle. I think he's an unrealistic target though as he is the first choice striker at Wolves and a move to Sunderland may not be that appealing when he sees the competition for places in Steve Bruce's starting eleven. Aside from that, Wolves will be less than willing to let him go and he'd only be available at an inflated price, probably around the £8m mark. So, again, as that avenue is probably well and truly closed down, I'm hoping for a fourth striker at the club in on loan, Danny Welbeck will do just fine thanks.