Sunderland target another striker signing after Eliezer Mayenda blow
TONY Mowbray says Sunderland are working on signing another striker after new recruit Eliezer Mayenda suffered a hamstring injury in his first training session with the club and is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
While obviously disappointed for Mayenda, Mowbray says he isn’t overly concerned about the injury because the 18-year-old was brought in as a long-term signing rather than someone who was expected to hit the ground running in the Championship.
And the Black Cats were working on further strengthening their forward line even before Mayenda’s setback.
Mowbray was delighted Hemir add to his pre-season tally with another goal in the 1-1 draw with RCD Mallorca at the Stadium of Light on Saturday and has been impressed with the teenage striker since his arrival from Benfica.
But with Ross Stewart ruled out until the end of September, Mowbray says Sunderland can’t depend solely on Hemir – with the Wearsiders continuing their efforts to bring in another frontman.
He said: “The club is working really hard behind the scenes to bring in another option at the top end of the pitch and then we decide whether we play a front two, or alternate them, or whatever it might be.
“What we need to do, and I’ve talked about this, Hemir needs a bit of help. We can’t expect a young boy who hasn’t played much men’s football to lead the line for 40-odd games but he’s shown me he’s got more than enough to be a really important player for us this season.
“Scoring a goal early on (at the Stadium of Light) is great for him, he’s scored a few goals now. And you can see the qualities he has. I’m sure the supporters who came can see that.
“He is a big 6ft4 lad, he’s not bursting everywhere and sprinting around the pitch but he has a nice soft touch, he’s a strong boy.
“He took a few knocks from a very physical defensive unit. I think it’s good for him to get used to the physicality and hopefully he’ll surprise a few people.”
Sunderland were delighted to complete the capture of Mayenda this week and Mowbray believes the teenager will make a big impact once he’s got over this injury setback and settled into life on Wearside.
He said: “Eliezer has picked up a hamstring injury in training unfortunately for the young boy, but I don’t see that as a major issue.
“He’s a young boy who we haven’t had on the pitch yet, he’s just a young kid who’s coming along and I’m sure in the future when he gets over this strain he’ll try to make an impact with our club and we’ll look forward to that.
“His attributes are power and speed and that’s an asset our club could probably do with at the top of the pitch, some real genuine pace.”
