SUNDERLAND will make a move for Premier League loan targets this month as Regis Le Bris looks to add two or three players to his squad in the hope it will help sustain their Championship promotion push.

The Black Cats have only picked up one point from their last two games but can close the gap on second placed Sheffield United to just two points with victory against the Blades at the Stadium of Light tonight.

But Sunderland will again be without a number of key players, with their thin and inexperienced squad stretched and put to the test in recent weeks.

That's why Le Bris is keen on adding new signings this month, though he only wants "quality" players who suit Sunderland's style of play and can make an immediate impact.

And the Premier League loan market is a leading area of interest for the Black Cats.

"Yes, absolutely," confirmed Le Bris, who has previously said it's the attack that he wants to strengthen this month.

"It's a good market and good targets. But it's the same idea, we need good quality and good connection with the team so it's not easy to find.

"Recruitment is very hard. It's a hard part of the project."

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And one challenging aspect of the loan market is the fact players who are available are unlikely to have played an awful lot of football in the first half of the season - unless they've been out on loan at other clubs.

"Yes, exactly. And our players are doing well so it's difficult to say to a player on loan you will play immediately," said Le Bris.

"It's a question of competition. It will be a very important period but it's not a massive recruitment, it's two or three and it's possible for our structure to solve that problem. I hope so."

Tonight's game is the first of six in January in what is a crucial spell in the season, which is why Le Bris, in an ideal world, would like signings to be made early in the month. But he knows that's easier said than done.

"The earlier the better but it's not just about us," he said.

"We don't know when it will happen exactly.

"It's better to make the right decision rather than an early decision. The right decision is key. If it's early it's good for everyone, if it's not early but it's a good decision it will help us for four months."

Le Bris will also only sanction the signings of player who he believes are a good fit for his Sunderland side.

"That's not an easy part," he said.

"One part is the style of play. I think our identity is very clear, you have to be involved in and out of possession and be involved in the team. If you are a selfish player it is not good for us, if you are not mobile or involved in the defensive part of the game, it's not OK for us.

"Then it's the question of the qualities for specific players. You can assess this part during video analysis. If it fits it's a good sign for us. Then it's a question of due diligence, speaking to other coaches and people in the game to learn about them."

There will also be exits on Wearside this month, with Nazariy Rusyn and Abdoullah Ba two players who will be allowed to leave the club. And only this week Le Bris confirmed Adil Aouchiche's future remains uncertain despite his re-emergence in recent games.

The head coach said: "For some of them probably yes [they need a move], but it's the same idea, we still need some players for the team.

"We have may games in January. If they have the opportunity to leave and it's good for us, then it's right for everyone."