Sunderland head into the World Cup break in 15th place in the Championship table after beating Birmingham 2-1 away from home on Friday night.

The Black Cats, who have one game in hand on the majority of the teams ahead of them, won two of their last three matches in the division to end the first portion of the campaign in good spirits.

They have taken to life in the second division well after being promoted out of League One last term and should be hoping to push further up the table in the second half of the season.

Sunderland only have five more games before the January transfer window opens for business and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman may work with Tony Mowbray to improve the squad.

One area in which they should be looking to strengthen is the striker department. Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms have both suffered from injuries this season and that has left the likes of Jack Clarke and Elliot Embleton playing up front at times.

The club were reportedly interested in signing Aston Villa forward Cameron Archer on loan in the summer but a move never came to pass, as he remained with the Villans.

Villa and the striker may now be regretting that decision as he has only played 54 minutes of Premier League football this season, making eight appearances as a substitute.

However, his form for his parent club and Preston North End last season suggests that he has the quality to be an excellent addition to Sunderland's squad.

He could strike an exciting partnership with Jack Clarke as he has shown that he has the finishing ability to make the most of the chances the Black Cats winger can create.

Archer, who has been dubbed "clinical" by journalist Josh Bunting and a goal "machine" by reporter Ryan Taylor, produced ten goals and two assists in six appearances for Villa in the EFL Cup and EFL Trophy combined last season.

The 5 foot 9 dynamo then scored seven goals and assisted one in 18 Championship matches on loan at Preston, which shows that he has the ability to score goals at the level Sunderland are playing at.

Clarke has been in fine form for the Black Cats this season as he has created 1.4 chances per game and registered six assists in 19 appearances.

The Englishman has proven that he can create opportunities for his teammates on a regular basis and he could provide quality service for Archer to make the most of, with the clinical finishing that his statistics suggest he possesses.

Therefore, Sunderland reignite their interest and swoop to sign Archer, who has been rarely seen at Villa Park this season, in January to bolster their attacking options.