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Sunderland boss Sam Alladyce looking to add two in January

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Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce refused to be drawn on speculation linking Andre Ayew to the club

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce is still in the market for "another defender and another attacking player" this month.

Allardyce has signed Bayern Munich defender Jan Kirchhoff and Trabzonspor striker Dame N'Doye, but has missed out on Lorient defender Lamine Kone - talks with the French club have broken down for a second time.

He declined to comment on his interest in Swansea striker Andre Ayew amid speculation he may be prepared to use striker Fabio Borini as a makeweight in any deal.

Lamine Kone (R) during the Ligue 1 match between Lille and Lorient earlier this month
Image: Lamine Kone (right) pictured during a Ligue 1 match between Lille and Lorient

Allardyce said: "I can't speculate on that. Me saying I'm willing to use Fabio would upset Fabio; me saying that Ayew is definitely someone I want for this club means that Swansea could say I have upset this player by saying that I actually want him.

"If you look at past history, I think David O'Leary was probably the first to be punished for doing something like that. I don't like anybody taking my money off me."

Sunderland striker Fabio Borini
Image: Sam Allardyce is coy about Fabio Borini's future

Meanwhile, Allardyce defended Kirchhoff, whose debut at White Hart Lane saw him deflect a shot into his own net and concede a penalty, sparking widespread criticism.

The Sunderland manager recalled his time in charge of Bolton and said: "I remember Ivan Campo coming from Real Madrid. Disgraceful pundits called him a 'clown' and a 'joke'. If you look at Ivan Campo's record, he was a Real Madrid player who the season before had won the Champions League and won La Liga."

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German International Jan Kirchhoff poses after completing his move to Sunderland AFC at the Academy of Light
Image: Jan Kirchhoff poses after completing his move to Sunderland

Meanwhile Allardyce has told Vito Mannone he remains his first-choice goalkeeper despite the emergence of young prospect Jordan Pickford.

Pickford, 21, made his senior debut for the club in their 3-1 FA Cup third-round defeat at Arsenal on January 9 and did so well he retained his place for last weekend's Premier League trip to Tottenham, where he produced a string of fine saves yet still ended up on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline.

Image: Vito Mannone is Sunderland's first-choice keeper

Allardyce believes he has a potential star of the future on his hands in the England U21 international, but Pickford will have to bide his time as he attempts to establish himself as the club's No 1 goalkeeper.

Asked if Pickford had already achieved that status, Allardyce replied: "No, Vito.

"On the basis of his game against Arsenal, I thought it would be good to put him [Pickford] in rather than wait too long, put him in after a good game against Arsenal to see what he could do in the Premier League, but then assure Vito that for the time being he is No 1 and will continue to be No 1 until such time as his performances don't acquire that position.

Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford
Image: Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford

"It's up to him now. He's waited long and patiently for the chance to re-establish himself as No 1. I believe before I came, a couple of years ago, he was player of the year, so he has shown those capabilities.

"Hopefully he can continue to show those capabilities and keep young Pick at bay. But we do know young Pick is eager to take his place and he knows that, so I think that's good competition."