SUNDERLAND are set to strengthen their defence with the capture of Chris Mepham on loan from Bournemouth.

The 26-year-old will add experience to the backline having played more than 100 games for the Cherries since joining from Brentford in a £12m deal five years ago.

Mepham is a 46-time Wales international, who has played 89 games in the Championship and 61 in the Premier League.

His arrival - on a straight loan - could be a shrewd move by Sunderland and will add more competition to the backline, where Regis Le Bris already has the returning Dan Ballard to compete with Luke O'Nien and Aji Alese.

Sunderland were, however, dealt a blow this week when Alese picked up an ankle injury. The former West Ham could be out for up to a month.

Mepham was wanted by Sheffield United, while Ipswich were also linked earlier in the summer, but Sunderland have won the battle for the experienced defender.

The Black Cats are expected to sign midfield duo Salis Abdul Samed and Milan Aleksic before tonight's deadline and are continuing their pursuit of strikers.

In terms of outgoings, Timothee Pembele is set for Le Havre and a string of other fringe players could leave on loan in the coming hours. Zak Johnson is one of those who would benefit from regular football and the arrival of Mepham will make game-time even harder to come by for the youngster. The same can be said of Joe Anderson.