Former Sunderland striker Stephen Elliott believes that Chris Martin would be a good signing for Championship strugglers Sunderland.
The Black Cats are in desperate need of a new forward after losing their top scorer Lewis Grabban who was recalled by his parent club Bournemouth this month.
Martin has struggled to receive regular game time at Derby County this season and has been strongly linked with a move to the Black Cats.
In addition to the Black Cats, Reading and Wolves have also been linked with the striker.
Eliott, who played for Sunderland between 2004 and 2007, believes that the club cannot continue to rely on the teenage duo of Josh Maja and Joel Asoro alone.
“They might get injured, they might get tired or lose form,” Elliott told the Wise Men Say podcast. “Chris Coleman definitely needs one more striker, maybe two, preferably experienced – lads with Championship experience.
“Martin would be a good signing, I think. I played with Chris at Norwich when I was there on loan a few years back.
“He’s a good, solid player, strong, and I think he’s someone who would come in and hold the ball up and I think the young lads playing up front alongside him, he would complement them.
“But there’s obviously an issue there to why he hasn’t made his mind up. It’s a no-brainer for me.
“If he’s not playing at Derby and he’s been told that his services aren’t wanted, why not come to Sunderland?
“I’d still like to think that, other than Martin, Coleman has been speaking to another couple of players who might come in.”
