Poyet Looking For A Trio.

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is hoping that he can get three new players in his ranks as the squad gets ready for a tour of Portugal.

Poyet looked to be making huge headway when he signed Costel Pantilimon, Billy Jones and Jordi Gomez at the beginning of summer, but since then he has been banging his head on the wall as he looks to further strengthen the side.

Word has it that the Sunderland boss is looking at last season`s loanees Marcos Alonso and Santiago Vergini, on top of that there is said to be interest in Cristian Rodriguez from Atletico Madrid.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Poyet said: “You`re expecting to do a couple of deals, but they`re not happening.

“People say don`t be anxious or nervous. I think there will be at least one in by tomorrow and I hope at the weekend we can have three in.

“But the word I`m saying is ‘hope`. It`s a matter of time, but, as the days go past, that becomes difficult.

Idealy, any players coming into the club would be here before the trip abroad, and Poyet sounded a little frustrated when he added: ‘We are waiting, we are desperate to do something in the next few days because we are going to Portugal and we need to have as many players as possible in place by the time we get there.’