Tuesday 23 August 2016 16:20, UK
Sunderland manager David Moyes says he is confident the club will have made some new signings before the transfer window closes on 31 August.
The Black Cats have suffered 2-1 defeats in their opening two Premier League matches under Moyes and the manager himself has admitted that they may find themselves in another fight against relegation.
But the former Everton and Manchester United boss says he is confident that some reinforcements will arrive imminently.
"I would like to get a few in if I can and we know what we need to do," said Moyes. "We are out working very hard.
"There are only eight days to go. You have got to remember, I came in really late as well [as a replacement for Sam Allardyce]. It was always going to be difficult.
"Sunderland had not made any signings until I arrived in the middle of pre-season, later than that. Two weeks before the start of the season.
"We are working really hard and I would expect to add people to the squad before the end of the transfer window."
Rubin Kazan midfielder Yann M'Vila is one of Sunderland's transfer targets, having spent last season on loan with the Black Cats, while Moyes is also hoping defender Lamine Kone will remain at the Stadium of Light.
"I do know that there have been talks regarding M'Vila, and I do know that Lamine Kone will return for treatment tomorrow [Wednesday] on his back injury," said Moyes.
"I have said all along Kone will stay."
Moyes' comments about a possible relegation fight surprised some, bearing in mind the early stage of the season.
But the manager explained: "I think it was me just saying where I felt we were.
"I have told people it was always going to be difficult, I said we were going to build.
"I hope I was being realistic. There was no point in me telling people other home truths.
"The sort of guy I am, I tell it like it is, and that is what I think.
"Do we want to be there - no. That is where I don't want to be.
"The fact of the matter is we need to make improvements, we need to bring more players in to add to the squad, and I have got a lot of work to do with the players.
"Managers have come and gone here over the years and everything has been close to the bottom every season.
"I have said I want to get away from that but I can't do it overnight."
