“If your team could only make one realistic signing during the January transfer window, who would it be?”

MICKY HORSWILL:

Sunderland desperately need a new left-back.

They’ve been short in that position all season, and one of Steve Bruce’s few mistakes was letting Danny Collins go in the summer.

There’s no real cover for George McCartney, and that was a problem when he got injured earlier in the season.

I think the reason he let Collins go was because he thought he was getting Maynor Figueroa from Wigan, so that would be the player I would go for.

Steve obviously rates him, and his judgement on the other players he’s brought in hasn’t been bad.

I wouldn’t stop there, because I also think Sunderland need another midfielder, particularly one that can play on the right.

But if I was only allowed one signing, it would have to be a left-back because that’s the area that’s most pressing.

BERNIE SLAVEN:

First and foremost, it has to be a striker. Scoring goals has been a problem for Middlesbrough all season and Strachan has to address that in the January window.

It also has to be a permanent signing, not a loan one.

I’m not a big believer in bringing in loan players, and I’m definitely against bringing someone in for six weeks like they have with Kitson.

If he does well and scores a few goals, the rest of the lads will be on a downer when his six weeks are up and he goes back to Stoke.

It has to be a permanent signing, and realistically Boro aren’t going to be able to attract anyone from the Premier League.

Beyond that, I think their best option would be Jermaine Beckford at Leeds.

He scores goals, he’s pacy and he’s strong – all attributes that Boro are crying out for at the moment.

He’s been in great form all season, and even though he’s currently playing in League One, I think he’d settle in fine at Championship level.

MALCOLM MACDONALD:

If I was in Chris Hughton’s position, I’d be knocking on Mike Ashley’s door and saying, ‘I tell you what Mr Chairman, keep your money in your pocket for now’.

But I’d also be seeking assurances about how much money I would be able to spend in the summer if Newcastle are back in the Premier League.

I think if you’re spending money now on a player to help you get promotion, you’re wasting it.

The current Newcastle squad should be good enough to get out of this league, and if you get a few injuries, you can always use the loan market to paper over the cracks.

But if you’re back in the Premier League next season, then you’re in a totally different position.

That’s when you’re going to need every penny you can get your hands on, because make no mistake about it, this Newcastle squad would need massive improvements in order to survive in the Premier League.

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