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Sunderland hope to make progress on their crucial midfielder signing this week – and may yet have their resolve tested on striker Steven Fletcher.

The Scotland forward was linked with a move to Swansea over the weekend and the South Wales club do need a striker, with Michu nearing the exit door. But whether the Black Cats would be tempted by an offer of £4million, when they are still looking to bolster their forward ranks, is another matter.

Fletcher has just one year left on his deal and was unsettled under Gus Poyet – but Dick Advocaat wants him to play a part next season.

Ideally, the Dutchman would like to bring in another forward, but he knows that he needs to sell before he can buy another forward, with Danny Graham another player who is vulnerable.

Despite playing a significant role as Sunderland battled the drop last season, Graham, who has one year left on his deal, could yet leave.

The Black Cats return to home soil this week with a friendly against Doncaster Rovers and are hoping to make some more progress on a midfield reinforcement.

They are looking for a creative presence in the centre of midfield and are interested in Tottenham’s Moussa Dembele.

Other targets have been sourced, though. Hull City’s Tom Huddlestone, who is wanted by Aston Villa, is a potential target while Sunderland – like the rest of the Premier League – have been made aware of the availability of Kevin Prince-Boateng, the wayward Schalke midfielder.

Sporting director Lee Congerton has made sure the club’s recruitment has been focused and targeted this summer, meaning the club are unlikely to stray from a list of targets that was identified at the start of the summer.

Sunderland fans will at least get the chance to see new boy Jeremain Lens this week, and defender Younes Kaboul could also feature as Sunderland return from a pre-season tour of North America.

Advocaat said last week: “Lens will definitely play against Doncaster. He’s further along than the others. Coates has only done a week after playing for Uruguay (during the summer).

“It makes no sense to get injuries, but Kaboul could play as well against Doncaster.”