FOUR wins from the last seven games have given Sunderland fans a semblance of hope heading into the festive period.

David Moyes, the Black Cats boss, has clearly shown that he can turn around a pretty small squad rocked by injuries, so it's just a shame he will not have the financial backing in the New Year to boost his options.

Sunderland will try to do whatever they can, ideally without selling key players, but the chances are that any deals concluded will be of the bargain basement type.

Moyes will have to face issues when the transfer window opens next month, and how he deals with them will go a long way in determining what division Sunderland will play in come August.

FIGHTING THE SALES

THE main aim of Moyes in the transfer window will be to find a way of adding to his squad. The level of which he can do that could well depend on if he sells anyone.

Lamine Kone is wanted by West Ham, Everton and Southampton. Given he has a £25m release clause in his contract, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he moves on.

Moyes has regularly suggested he wants to keep him and the Ivorian - who seems certain to be involved in the African Cup of Nations regardless - has recaptured some of his best form during Sunderland's improved run of results.

The other player valued highly across the country is goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The 22-year-old has Champions League clubs keeping an eye on him and could command a fee in excess of £20m.

Sunderland have Vito Mannone in reserve at the moment but keeping Pickford, a Sunderland fan, would be a huge boost for everyone going forward.

DEFENSIVE RECRUIT

REGARDLESS of whether Kone stays or goes, Sunderland still need more options at the back.

Papy Djilobodji has looked impressive in recent games and has suddenly shown why Chelsea lured him from France a year ago, even if he didn't start a game for the Blues.

Sunderland's only other like for like centre-back option is John O'Shea, while Jason Denayer can play there too but has been operating more as a midfielder.

Sunderland have been keeping an eye on Ipswich's Andy Webster among others, and it would be no surprise to see a central defender arrive if chief executive Martin Bain can wheel and deal.

MIDFIELD MOANS

WHEN Jan Kirchhoff was ruled out for months through injury last week, it was another blow to Moyes in the centre of the pitch.

He was already without Paddy McNair and Lee Cattermole for the long term, while Lynden Gooch is also an option to provide energy in there.

For those reasons Sunderland need midfield reinforcements. The breakdown of the deal that was already in place for Yann M'Vila has eased the wage bill, but it has also created another hole in the squad.

Sunderland will not have all of the wages that the Frenchman was going to command to plough into the January transfer recruitment push, but Moyes hopes to get a slice of it. A central midfielder is a big priority.

DO THEY NEED COVER FOR DEFOE?

OF course they do, but it's not really a priority at this moment in time.

Moyes has considered it. The bottom line is that if something happens to Defoe in the coming weeks then at least he can shuffle things about.

Victor Anichebe is more than capable of leading the line, and there are options to play down the flanks. There is also the younger option of Joel Asoro to provide back up.

Defoe will be protected whenever he can be, such is the importance of his goals. You can almost imagine already that Defoe will not figure in the FA Cup third round tie in January.

Sunderland have targets in mind and a Defoe stand-in is not on the priority list at this stage.