Sunderland director of football Lee Congerton has admitted that the club's transfer activity could go right down to the last day.

The Black Cats have already brought in Costel Pantilimon, Jordi Gomez and Billy Jones since the end of last season, but as many as nine players have so far departed the Stadium of Light.

"We are trying our best, working every day and hopefully, before the season starts, we have our squad together," Congerton is quoted as saying by the Sunderland Echo.

"But, given we haven't got vast amounts of money, it will probably go to the last day of the transfer window.

"Other teams are trying to improve, just as we are, and we have to start replacing the likes of Ki and Fabio before we are even on a level footing – so we have a lot of work to do."

The Black Cats finished last season's Premier League campaign in 14th place.