GUSTAVO POYET thinks there will be some ‘good news’ on the transfer front within the next few days after hearing progress has been made in Sunderland’s transfer search.

The Black Cats boss even suggested that supporters could be ‘surprised’ when deals are concluded and it is hoped there will be some new faces in his team for at least one of the remaining friendlies with Real Betis and Udinese.

Sunderland, who finished their pre-season trip to the Algarve with a goalless draw with Vitoria Setubal, have been working on deals for a number of players including Liverpool’s Fabio Borini and defender Santiago Vergini.

Poyet, speaking on his last night in Portugal before the squad fly back to the North-East, said: “There are plenty things going on and I’m looking forward to things happening in the next few days, so it’s all positive.

“I think we have a great chance (of signing players), a great chance. People are going to be surprised, which is great. It’s all positive. We’ve had a few things that before we knew it they didn’t work. But I’m hoping there’s going to be some good news over the next two or three days.”

Midfielder Jordan Mutch has been on Sunderland’s radar this summer and they had a bid of around £3.5m rejected earlier this summer by Cardiff City. Queens Park Rangers also had an offer of £5m turned down earlier this week.

When asked if Sunderland were still interested in Mutch, Poyet said: “We have been talking about so many players and it’s difficult. If you start talking about every single player on the list we will be here forever. It’s not fair on the players or the clubs either. I prefer not to go too much in to it.”