O'Neill ponders striking options

Martin O'Neill admits strengthening Sunderland's attacking options is likely to be one of his main summer priorities.

Sunderland boss set to spend summer looking for goalscorers

Martin O'Neill admits strengthening Sunderland's attacking options is likely to be one of his main summer priorities. The Northern Irishman has presided over a remarkable turnaround since joining the Black Cats in December, but has seen their campaign stutter since a demoralising FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Everton last month. And the Black Cats have become rather toothless in front of goal, having drawn blanks in each of their last four Premier League matches. Midfielders Stephane Sessegnon and Sebastian Larsson lead their goalscoring charts with eight league goals each, just ahead of seven-goal striker Nicklas Bendtner. Bendtner will return to parent club Arsenal when his season-long loan ends in the summer and Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan looks set to make his temporary switch to UAE side Al-Ain permanent.

Substantial

O'Neill knows he will have to bolster his strikeforce for Sunderland to challenge further up the top-flight table next season. "We don't have anybody in double figures at this moment scoring goals," he said. "At the end of the season if you are going to have some sort of success, you are going to have to have that. "You are going to have at least two players in double figures - possibly three. And one of those scoring a quite substantial number over 10 for a start. "We have disguised the fact by being able to share them around, but when they are not coming from other areas, then you start looking at centre-forwards and scoring goals."