Martin O'Neill wants to add to Sunderland's Louis Saha signing

 

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill says he still wants to bring another striker to the club, despite the arrival of Louis Saha.

The Frenchman, 34, has signed a one-year deal, but the Black Cats boss says the ex-Manchester United and Tottenham striker will not play every week.

"We have to improve our goal ratio," said O'Neill, who has had three offers for Steven Fletcher rejected by Wolves.

Louis Saha's Premier League record

  • Tottenham 10 games 3 goals
  • Everton 97 games 27 goals
  • Manchester United 86 games 28 goals
  • Fulham 117 games 53 goals
  • Newcastle 11 games 1 goal

"I'm not so sure that you can have too many players who can score goals."

Sunderland are short of attacking options following the departures of Asamoah Gyan and Nicklas Bendtner, and boss O'Neill has spent the summer trying to boost his attacking options.

No Sunderland player reached double figures in goals last season, with Bendtner and Stephane Sessegnon the top-scorers with eight.

"In an ideal world I would have liked to have had the number of players that we're looking for in at this minute but it hasn't been possible," said O'Neill.

"Despite Saha coming in we're hoping to still strengthen and we want to do because it's a long season.

"Come the first of September you know that's it then for four months. Those four months are pretty defining.

"I knew it was going to be difficult but I'm expecting players to be arriving in the next 10 or 11 days."

Saha could make his Black Cats debut against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, and O'Neill is not worried about his problems with injuries in recent years.

"His appetite for the game is fine," he said. "In truth there are so many games hopefully he would play in but I'm not expecting miracles from him.

"I'm not expecting him to play every single game. That would be an enormous ask for him, but in the course of time I think he can help us.

"He's prepared for one more season. I asked him the other day and he said: 'Everyone always has a point to prove' so I think he's ready to do well."