TONY Mowbray has outlined the importance of Sunderland adding some more experience to their ranks ahead of the coming Championship season.
Mowbray was delighted to have four signings over the line before the start of pre-season, with the Black Cats moving swiftly to wrap up deals for Hemir, Jobe Bellingham, Nectar Triantis and Jenson Seelt.
Mowbray has been impressed by all four players but is conscious of the importance of not expecting too much too soon from the new recruits. Bellingham and Hemir are still teenagers, while Triantis and Seelt are both 20.
They've joined an already youthful dressing room, which is why Mowbray has stressed the need to strike a balance as Sunderland look to further strengthen their squad in the coming weeks.
With captain Corry Evans and Ross Stewart still injured and question marks over Danny Batth's future amid interest from Blackburn Rovers, Mowbray has told recruitment bosses he believes it's vital that Sunderland add some more experience and know-how to the squad.
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He said: "We've had that conversation. The powers that be and myself have had them conversations. It's great to have so many young players but we have to balance it off a little bit.
"When the tough days come, and they will come throughout the season, you need a bit of experience in your dressing room to calm things down. It's OK the gaffer saying we'll be alright, keep going, don't listen to the negativity, it's always more powerful coming from the dressing room and the senior players.
"At the moment the likes of Corry are unavailable. We're all aware we could do with some experience among the young players but there's still loads of time left in the transfer window."
Sunderland yesterday headed for the USA for their pre-season training trip, with the first of three games taking place tomorrow night. Cirkin and Seelt travelled after making good progress in their recovery from injury, with Batth - who missed the friendlies at South Shields and Gateshead - also part of the squad, despite Blackburn's interest.
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