Sunderland have been enduring an injury crisis this season but are already exceeding expectations upon promotion to the Championship, currently sat fifth in the second-tier table, and now an update has emerged on the January transfer plans.

What's the latest?

Journalist Phil Smith hosted a Q&A on the Sunderland Echo on Thursday afternoon and has revealed some key details on the January transfer window ahead.

When asked about the transfer priorities at the club, Smith responded:

"I think there are probably three main areas to look at as it stands.

"Clearly Sunderland would ideally add another striker to their ranks, having come close to signing Nathan Broadhead permanently in the summer.

"We also know that in the closing stages of the transfer window they were looking to sign another defender, and a versatile player who could offer cover for Corry Evans in defensive midfield and at full back."

Mowbray will be relieved

There is no doubt that Tony Mowbray will be relieved if those areas of the team are improved when the January transfer window finally opens. He will have the opportunity to make his mark on the team he inherited from Alex Neil, and there are some vital areas that will require his and Kristjaan Speakman's attention that were not addressed in the summer transfer window.

Not only that, the side have been plagued with injuries as Ross Stewart, Ellis Simms, Dan Ballard, Dennis Cirkin, Niall Huggins and Edouard Michut have all sustained various injury problems over the season so far, so bolstering the side with some depth in a number of positions is sorely needed.

Albeit playing just ten games in the Championship so far, Mowbray will be hoping that come January Sunderland will still be in strong contention to secure a play-off spot or even automatic promotion back into the Premier League after five years away from the top flight as they are currently just five points off Norwich City in second.

Indeed, Premier League promotion would be an absolute dream for supporters and would be a massive achievement for the Black Cats considering their struggle in League One before rising up to the Championship, but improving and strengthening the current talented squad would certainly put Mowbray in a position to potentially make that dream a reality.

With that being said, there is still a long way to go and a lot of games to be played before the January transfer window but planning ahead would certainly do the powers at the Stadium of Light no harm as it could be the difference between continuing their challenge or stagnating in the Championship over the second half of the season.