Former Sunderland midfielder Don Hutchison has encouraged Gus Poyet to consider making a January move for Blackburn Rovers centre-forward Jordan Rhodes.

The Black Cats have found the net five times in as many Premier League outings this term, although none of those goals has been scored by the club's three strikers - Steven Fletcher, Connor Wickham and Jozy Altidore.

With that in mind, Hutchison believes that Rhodes, who has scored four goals for Rovers in the Championship this season, is "exactly what Sunderland need".

"Sunderland had one of those miracle runs last year to get themselves out of it but they need to be more consistent and more solid this season. So far they've fixed things up at the back but they're yet to really show that they're capable of scoring at the other end," he wrote in the Sunderland Journal.

"Gus needs to see Steven Fletcher getting back on the goal trail but do you know what, I'd take a look at Jordan Rhodes. He's a natural finisher in my book.

"I was working with Danny Murphy the other day and he told me he's a nightmare to play with as a midfielder. He doesn't do the work in the box but he's a cool, calm finisher like Robbie Fowler – exactly what Sunderland need. Gus should have his scouts watching him."

Rhodes was the subject of numerous bids from Hull City during the summer, but Rovers rejected those approaches.