Sunderland boss Steve Bruce targets additional striker

Black Cats striker Asamoah Gyan is yet to open his account for Sunderland so far this season

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has revealed he is in the process of adding another striker to his squad with just one goal in three games this season.

Bruce admitted goals were proving difficult to come by after Tuesday's 1-0 Carling Cup defeat by Brighton, and is keen to address the issue.

"We know we still need a bit more firepower," Bruce told BBC Newcastle.

"We've got one or two things in the fire and we hope they will come to fruition, let's try to do it."

Bruce added: "The most important thing in this league is can you can score a goal, and that is the big thing you need.

"If we're being honest, since the loss of Darren Bent, we have lacked a bit, but we hope we can adjust and adapt to that."

Following Bent's move to Aston Villa in January, the Wearsiders have relied on Asamoah Gyan for goals, with the Ghana international netting 11 times last term.

Long term injury to Fraizer Campbell, plus the return of loan forward Danny Welbeck to Manchester United have also placed pressure on the Black Cats squad.

But Bruce is reluctant to place the burden on summer signings Ji Dong-Won and Connor Wickham.

Dong-Won, 20, was plucked from Chunnam Draons for an undisclosed free believed in the region of £2m in June, while Whickham, 18, joined for an initial fee of £8.1m from Championship side Ipswich Town the same month.

"When we bought Ji and Connor, I was thinking of the future of the club and the next 18 months to two years," Bruce continued.

"We know that we've got a couple of really talented young players, but I need time for them to just settle and adjust to get ready to play in the Premier League."

You can hear the full interview with Sunderland boss Steve Bruce in the build up to Swansea City v Sunderland on Saturday, 27 August with BBC Newcastle.