Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce is targeting further new arrivals during the January transfer window, as he bids to preserve the club’s top-flight status.

The Black Cats have already brought in Jan Kirchhoff, Dame N’Doye and Steve Harper this month, but they remain four points adrift of safety in the Premier League following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.

The 61-year-old admits he is still working tirelessly to bring in new recruits, as he bids to find the right characters to boost his squad during the second half of the campaign.

He said: “I think everybody involved in recruitment at the minute is trying to look at as many players as they possibly can.”

The former West Ham boss admits the transfer window is a stressful time for all involved, particularly given the club’s current league woes.

He added: “You’re never calm in the transfer window, it a horrid time for everybody, but even worse when you are in the position we are in. You have to manage a way through it and we have to try and find better players, of the right quality, who can help us escape out of the bottom three.”

Sunderland, who are not in action this weekend due to their early FA Cup exit, face a daunting task in their next league match when they play host to title-chasing Manchester City at the Stadium of Light on February 2.

The Black Cats have lost their last four meetings with the Citizens, conceding 15 goals in the process, and they are outsiders to buck that trend at 7.00. Manuel Pellegrini’s side are on offer at 1.50 and the draw is 4.33.