Wilkinson still hopeful of landing new blood

The Black Cats chief, who lost out to Tottenham in the race to sign Japanese World Cup star Kazuyuki Toda last week, currently has Norway winger Tommy Oren on trial.

With the transfer window closing at midnight on Friday, Wilkinson will have to act fast if he is going to boost his struggling side.

But the experienced Sunderland chief is still hopeful of adding fresh blood to his squad.

"We are still trying and we will continue to try until the window closes," said Wilkinson, who is understood to have been quoted £500,000 for Oren from his club Sogndal.

"There's a need and I've identified three areas where there is a need. If I was to have an ideal situation I would like new players in.

"But you have to have the opportunity of getting them in and it's also a question of finance. These deals are not cheap, especially if you need to pay a loan fee.

"It won't be a blow if we don't get anyone in because if you don't have it you don't miss it. But it will be a nice, pleasant surprise if I do."

Sunderland go into tonight's clash with Southampton at the Stadium of Light looking for their first Premiership win since December 15.

Wilkinson is backing young attacker Michael Proctor's steady progression as a Premiership footballer.

Proctor - who scored his eighth goal of the season at Blackburn on Saturday, including four while on loan at Bradford - has impressed since making his full debut against Tottenham on November 10.

His rise has left Wilkinson happy and the former Leeds boss is convinced Proctor has got a huge talent.

"Michael has certainly got an eye for goal and that's important," he said. "He's scored goals wherever he has been. Whether he has been on loan or in the first team here he has scored goals.

"What Michael has to do now is make sure his all-round game catches up with his ability to hit the goal - provided he doesn't sacrifice his ability to nick a goal."

But Wilkinson believes Proctor, like many of Sunderland's young guns, have got to keep focused and not rest on their laurels.

"He was out on loan when I arrived and from what I heard about him I brought him back in," said the Sunderland boss.

"There are two or three youngsters who, in a different situation, would be given more of an opportunity.

"But youngsters are very susceptible to inconsistency. It's better if they go into a team with a bit of experience."

Wilkinson, who welcomes full-back George McCartney back into the squad after illness, could stick by the three-pronged attack that worked so well at Ewood Park on Saturday.

If he does it would mean a rare Premiership chance for Marcus Stewart, who has only made three League starts under Wilkinson.

And Wilkinson revealed he has been delighted with Stewart's attitude since he took control on Wearside.

"He has been a model pro," he said. "He has been disappointed and we have had our discussions, more than one. But he has not let that affect his work.

"Marcus is a good footballer and he knows the game."

Meanwhile, French forward David Bellion returned to training with Sunderland yesterday after going AWOL amid the controversy of his proposed move to Manchester United.

But Wilkinson admitted: "He is back training and it's the first time he has trained for about four or five weeks so it will be a while before he is playing again."

* Providing Sunderland overcome Blackburn in next Wednesday's FA Cup replay, the Black Cats will face Watford at the Stadium of Light in round five.

Wilkinson said: "There can be no greater incentive to progress to the fifth round than the opportunity to perform in front of our own fans at the Stadium of Light.

"I'm certain that whoever their opposition, Watford will be very motivated at the prospect of facing Premiership opposition and it promises to be an exciting tie with the huge prize of a place in the quarter-finals at stake."

* Sunderland midfielder John Oster has been called up by Wales manager Mark Hughes for next month's friendly with Bosnia.

* Kazuyuki Toda completed his loan move to Tottenham yesterday and immediately set himself a high standard to live up to.

The Japanese international was asked which Premiership player he most resembled in terms of style of play and he answered Nicky Butt of Manchester United.

Tottenham fans will be delighted if the 25-year-old midfielder lives up to his promise and proves that Japanese players can make it in the Premiership.

''I am aware that Japanese players have not been too successful in England in the past and I want to change that image,'' said Toda, who spent a fortnight on trial at Sunderland.

''My dream has always been to play in the Premiership and I am at a great club with a great history, so I am very happy to be here.''

Toda has joined Tottenham for an initial 12-month period for a fee of about £200,000 from J-League club Shimizu S-Pulse. He has been granted a work permit and has 20 international caps.

Toda will wear the number 44 shirt after explaining that the number four in Japanese means happy.

Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle is also confident his new signing will integrate into Premiership football and revealed how the club had taken advice from former players Steve Perryman and Ossie Ardiles, who have both managed in Japan.

Hoddle said: ''This signing goes back further than anyone can imagine because we spoke with Steve and Ossie about him more than a year ago.

''Steve managed him for five years and said he believed he had the true pedigree to play in the Premiership."

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