SUNDERLAND could be in line for a major double transfer boost, with Eliezer Mayenda set to join and talks with free agent Bradley Dack progressing well.

Tony Mowbray revealed earlier this week that he was confident a new striker would arrive before the start of the Championship season, with Sunderland making a breakthrough in their summer-long pursuit of Sochaux striker Mayenda.

And he could soon be joined by former Blackburn attacking midfielder Dack. The 29-year-old is a free agent this summer after leaving Rovers at the end of last season.

Sunderland were linked with a move for Dack in January but it was ruled out at that stage by Mowbray, who said he would cost too much at the time and pointed out that the transfer approach of the club was to target young players with big potential.

However, while Sunderland's transfer priority is still to bring in younger players with their best years ahead of them, Mowbray has stressed the importance of the need for experience and balance in his squad, especially with Ross Stewart ruled out until September and Corry Evans not ready to return any time soon - and Dack, who made almost 200 appearances for Blackburn, certainly ticks that box.

Although Dack's progress was previously cruelly halted by two serious knee injuries, the most recent was more than two years ago and he made 33 appearances for Blackburn last season. Dack feels he still has plenty to offer, and Mowbray previously helped to get the best out of the forward at Ewood Park.

Dack scored 57 times in 173 appearances for Rovers but after having to settle for a squad role last season, opted to leave this summer because he couldn't be guaranteed more regular game-time.

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Explaining Dack's Blackburn exit, director of football Gregg Broughton said: “Firstly in terms of the reason, Bradley feels he should have played more football this year and wants to play more next year.

“I don’t think we were in a position to be able to make those guarantees to him. In terms of how the decision was made, no player is either signed for the club, internally or externally, without the sign-off of the head coach.

“But it’s really important to go on record and say this isn’t just Jon’s (Dahl Tomasson, Blackburn manager) decision, he signs it off as the head coach, but we all have an input in that.

“With Bradley he understands that if we couldn’t give him the guarantees that he wanted to play next year it’s right for all parties now for him to be allowed to do that."

Should talks continue to advance and a deal be struck, Dack will provide versatility across the forward line. Mayenda, meanwhile, will crucially bolster the attack, vital after this week's admission from Mowbray that Stewart isn't expected to be ready to return until the end of September.

As things stand, summer recruit Hemir is the club's only fit and recognised striker, but he'll soon by joined by the incoming teenage Spaniard.