TRANSFER LATEST: Striker incoming as Watford forward Jerome Sinclair finalises Sunderland move

Sunderland’s desperate need for strikers has led to wide-spread panic amongst large sections of our support over recent weeks, and rightly so.

With only 19-year old Josh Maja to call upon and with the season’s opener with Charlton Athletic just around the corner, getting bodies through the door ahead of that game has been the utmost priority for Jack Ross, Tony Coton and the rest of Sunderland’s recruitment team.

So it will be welcome news, then, for supporters to learn that Watford striker Jerome Sinclair is on Wearside today as he attempts to complete his season-long loan switch from the Premier League club in time for him to feature in Friday’s friendly game against Middlesbrough.

The ex-Liverpool forward is currently at the Academy of Light putting the finishing touches to his move and, once one or two minor details are ironed out, he could be unveiled by the club as early as today.

Sinclair’s stop-start professional career has led to frustration from the player over recent years and it’s understood that he’s very keen to come to the north east and prove himself at a big club - something which has been music to the ears of Sunderland’s management, who have had a clear remit of recruiting players that, first and foremost, want to come here and roll up their sleeves.

Sinclair - an England international at U16 and U17 level - was very highly rated just a few years ago and controversially left Liverpool following the expiration of his contract to join up with Watford, who then had to pay the Merseysiders a fee of £4m before handing the player a bumper five-year contract.

The Birmingham-born hitman spent last season on loan with his hometown club but struggled for opportunities ahead of the in-form Sam Gallagher, and with his Watford future uncertain he’ll arrive at Sunderland hoping to add athleticism and variety to a position that desperately needs it.