Thursday 1 November 2007 11:45, UK
Roy Keane has confirmed he would like to add up to four players to his Sunderland squad in the New Year.
Although the North East outfit have made a decent start to life back in the Premier League, Keane has acknowledged his squad is being stretched.
Sunderland have been linked with the likes of Celtic defender Bobo Balde and Manchester United youngster Jonny Evans, although Keane is keeping tight-lipped on whether moves will be made.
"We're looking at lots of players," he said on Sky Sports News. "(Balde and Evans) are both very good players, but they're under contract and I wouldn't look to do business in the media.
"It would be nice to add to the squad. We've been stretched as we don't have the biggest of squads.
"We need a couple of new faces in January. We're hoping to add three or four quality players."
The pair have only just returned to training after recovering from hamstring and calf strains respectively and Keane says the players need match practice before returning.
"The extra few days won't make a difference to them," he continued. "If they're looking to get back in they will certainly need a few games under their belt.
"Maybe not too many reserve games, but certainly one or two or a few practice games. We've not had a chance to do that yet with Edwards or Cole yet. They've trained the last few days, but in terms of Monday they've got no chance.
"With the game being on Monday it will help the likes of (Dwight) Yorke and (Roy) O'Donovan who both missed the game last weekend. The extra one or two days might give them a chance to get back."
Keane has Graham Kavanagh back at The Stadium of Light following a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday and he is looking to utilise the former Wigan and Cardiff man.
"Kavanagh's got a good chance (of playing). He's got the benefits of having a few games at Sheffield Wednesday. "They're keen to have him back, but we've got to look after ourselves. I've not brought Kav back to play in the reserves."
