NAZARIY Rusyn could leave Sunderland on loan in the final week of the transfer window as the Black Cats close in on a double striker swoop.

Sunderland are set to sign Zenit St Petersburg forward Wilson Isidor with the Black Cats hopeful the 23-year-old former France youth international will be joined by Red Bull Salzburg's Roko Simic.

Providing there are no late hitches and both deals go through, Rusyn will be pushed down the striker pecking order and Le Bris admits a loan exit - perhaps for even just half a season - will be considered if the Ukrainian isn't going to get enough game-time on Wearside.

Le Bris prefers Eliezer Mayenda to Rusyn as things stand, with the teenage striker repaying the faith of the head coach with a fine double in the win over Sheffield Wednesday.

Mayenda will keep his place in the side for tomorrow's visit of Burnley but if, as expected, Sunderland make progress in their bid to bolster the forward line, there'll be a decision to make on Rusyn.

"We will see what happens if we do sign strikers," admitted Le Bris.

"If we feel that we won't have game time for his development and for the team, maybe it is a better option to go on loan for six months and then we see again.

"The next week will be interesting for all of this. The players who need to play and find the right solution for their development, they need to go on loan."

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Le Bris confirmed loan exits remain a "possibility" for Hemir and Jewison Bennette while the Black Cats continue their efforts to find a temporary club for out of favour right-back Timothee Pembele but nothing is close on that front as things stand, the head coach said yesterday.

Rusyn has struggled to acclimatise since his move to Sunderland last summer and made just nine starts last season, scoring two goals.

Previous bosses suggested the 25-year-old might be better suited to playing in a deeper attacking role or off one of the flanks rather than up-front but Le Bris doesn't agree.

He said: "He played in Ukraine as a left winger, I think, so we tried it for 20, 25 minutes during a friendly game. But I think at the minute he is better as a number nine, so I don't see this as an option for us on the wings."

One player who is an option on the wing is Ian Poveda, who could be named in the squad for the first time this weekend. Alan Browne is also fit to return, though faces a fight to get back into the side after Chris Rigg's brilliant display against Wednesday.

Dan Ballard is also making good progress in his recovery after knee surgery in the summer.

Le Bris said: "We need one more week, and every day we can feel if he is able to support the load. We're taking it day by day, but we are confident that he will be back soon. Whether he will be available for the next game [Portsmouth] I'm not sure, but it is possible."