SUNDERLAND look set to bolster their frontline with the capture of Eliezer Mayenda, with the Black Cats finally making a breakthrough in their summer-long pursuit of the teenage striker.

Reports from France earlier this summer claimed the Black Cats had seen multiple bids for the 18-year-old knocked back by Sochaux, despite the fact the second tier side are facing financial difficulties.

Now, however, Sunderland have reportedly reached an agreement with the French club, with the deal expected to be finalised before the end of the week.

Mayenda made 15 appearances for Sochaux last season, scoring one goal and is a former Spain Under-17 international.

It's not clear at this stage whether the Black Cats deem the teenager ready to go straight into the Sunderland first team fold, but strengthening up-front is the transfer priority on Wearside between now and the end of the summer window.

The need for Sunderland to add another striker to their ranks became even more important when it emerged that Ross Stewart isn't expected to be available to return to action until the end of September, with summer recruit Hemir the club's only fit and recognised striker as things stand.

“I had a conversation with him (Stewart) this morning, and he said late September,” said Mowbray, in an interview with BBC Newcastle in the wake of an open training session at the Stadium of Light earlier this week.

“Now, that’s him saying that, not the physios, but I’m sure he’s had discussions with the physios about it.

“Generally, when they’re not available to play for me, I don’t spend too much time trying to hurry them back. We focus on the players that we’ve got available. But I did see him this morning, and he suggested to me the end of September. That’s when I think he said that he hoped to be back on the grass training and fit to play. So, we’ll see.”

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Mowbray did reveal earlier this week, however, that he was confident of a transfer breakthrough before the start of the season.

He said: “I think we’ve got the nucleus of a team – probably even beyond the nucleus of a team.

"As I’ve been saying, I think we still need some additions at the top end of the pitch, and we’re working really hard behind the scenes to make that happen. I’m pretty confident that given the timescale to the next game, we’ll have some help in, in that area.

“I just feel at the moment that we probably need to supplement Hemir and make sure that we’re not relying on a young boy to be the striker for too long. We need some options.”