Kevin Phillips: 'Sunderland need a goalscorer'

Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has encouraged Gus Poyet to bolster his goalscoring options during the January transfer window.

Only Burnley and Aston Villa have scored fewer than the 16 goals that Poyet's men have managed in their 19 outings this term.

With that in mind, Phillips believes that a new striker is needed if the Wearsiders are to secure their status in the top flight.

"Generally, teams in the bottom half of the table need a goalscorer. I'm sure that's where Gus is looking. They've struggled for goals this season, struggled to keep players fit and I'm pretty sure that's the area he's identified," he told Sky Sports News.

"If you take away the 8-0 thrashing at Southampton, Sunderland are right up there in terms of the toughest defences in the Premier League, which just highlights the area they need to work on is putting the ball in the back of the net."

Ahead of tomorrow's trip to Manchester City, Sunderland are 14th in the table and four points above the relegation zone.