Monday 1 August 2016 17:48, UK
Jermain Defoe's injury is not "as bad as first thought", according to Sunderland first-team coach Robbie Stockdale
Defoe, 33, picked up a thigh strain during the club's pre-season tour in France and with the Premier League kicking off in less than two weeks it has been a major concern for newly-appointed boss David Moyes.
But according to Stockdale those worries have been eased by the latest scan although a return date for the England striker is still unknown.
"I will be perfectly honest, Jermain has been for his scan and we're all hopeful it's not as bad as first feared," he told the club's official website.
"I wouldn't want to put a date on it but Jermain will be eager to be back fit as soon as possible, and although we won't take risks with him the news we got was positive."
Sunderland's offensive line is bare, with Fabio Borini the club's only other senior striker.
And at Monday's press conference, Moyes admitted bringing in new faces is crucial with the club yet to make a signing this summer.
"It is vitally important that we try to add to the squad. We want good players though, I don't want to be rash in it," he said.
"I've never been off the telephone, I've done an awful lot of work just trying to find out who could be available and what could happen.
"We've got a couple of offers in for players just now, written offers, and we are just waiting for them to come back. There's no point in me getting everyone's hopes up because if they go wrong, then everyone says 'why not?'.
