Sunderland are ready to back Sam Allardyce with £20 million in the January transfer window as he looks to reshape the squad at the Stadium of Light, sources have told ESPN FC.
Allardyce, who took charge at Sunderland last month following the departure of Dick Advocaat, has informed the club's hierarchy that big changes are needed if the club are to have any chance of avoiding relegation and owner Ellis Short is prepared to back him with the cash required.
Sunderland currently find themselves second from bottom in the Premier League and Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Southampton was Allardyce's third in four games which leaves them four points adrift of safety.
Sources told ESPN FC that Allardyce has made defensive reinforcements and a new striker his main priorities with the Black Cats struggling at both ends of the pitch. Indeed, they have kept just one clean sheet all season, conceding 26 goals -- the highest in the league -- while they have only scored 13 goals.
As revealed by ESPN FC last month, Allardyce has targeted Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin with the Championship club possibly looking to sell the player in January rather than risk letting him leave for free when his contract expires next summer.