Dame N'Doye set to join Sunderland on loan from Trabzonspor

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed that the Black Cats are very close to signing striker Dame N'Doye on loan from Trabzonspor for the rest of the season.

And Allardyce is hopeful that N'Doye will prove a reliable provider of goals as Sunderland battle to stay in the top flight.

N'Doye, a 30-year-old Senegal international, spent the second half of last season at Hull and, although he was unable to keep them up, he bagged five goals for the Tigers.

He now finds himself tasked with a similar mission because Sunderland are currently languishing in 19th place, four points adrift of safety.

Allardyce said on Monday afternoon: "He is in the building, doing the usual checks to get his medical and, hopefully by the end of the day, or early tomorrow, we will have clinched the deal."

Sunderland have scored 22 goals in their 20 Premier League matches so far but Allardyce hopes that ratio will improve once N'Doye is on board.

Asked what the potential signing would bring to the team, Allardyce said: "Goals, I hope.

"I spoke to my old mate Steve Bruce at Hull. He said he scored five goals in 12 matches for them and really gave them something different.

"Of course, bringing a player in, as we know, is very difficult at this time of year.

"But he actually made a difference for Hull in a short period of time, so he has experienced the Premier League.

"First time in the Premier League, last time round, he scored five in 12. Hopefully he can do even more for us.

"Let's hope he can achieve the improvement we are looking for [from the team] in terms of converting chances and scoring more goals."