Sunderland will be ‘targeting’ players from overseas during the January transfer window, according to Scott Wilson for The Northern Echo.

The Lowdown: Difference of opinion

Ever since Kyril Louis-Dreyfus assumed ownership of the club alongside sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, the Black Cats have primarily focused on bringing in younger players from across the globe with the aim of developing them over time.

As a result, disagreements between the board and Alex Neil arose, which had an impact on his decision to join Championship rivals Stoke City, although Tony Mowbray seems to be much more on board with this recruitment model.

Teenagers Jewison Bennette, Edouard Michut and Abdoullah Ba all moved to the Stadium of Light from overseas in the summer, and it sounds like this will be a new way forward for the club.

The Latest: Sunderland looking abroad

Taking to Twitter in sharing a corresponding article for The Northern Echo, Wilson revealed that Sunderland will be continuing with their employment approach and have the full support of the 58-year-old in doing so.

He wrote: “#SAFC will be targeting overseas signings when the transfer window reopens in January - with Tony Mowbray happy to be going along with the club's new recruitment model...”

The Verdict: Right approach

Sunderland’s new teenage trio have slowly begun to integrate themselves into the team, making 22 league appearances between them; and given the Black Cats' strong opening to the season, their results are suggesting that this is the way to go.

The Wearsiders currently find themselves just four points outside the play-offs after 20 games, which is exactly where a promotion-battling team would want to be heading up to Christmas.

Key positions being strengthened in the New Year would help to supplement squad depth and should give the Black Cats the push that they need in order to continue their form into the second half of the campaign.