It was an interesting summer for Sunderland with several players joining the club in the transfer window – and the rumour mill in overdrive regarding potential incomings and outgoings during January with the Black Cats in need of reinforcements in several positions, including centre-midfield and striker with just three days remaining in the current window.

Sunderland have signed defender Leo Hjelde from Championship rivals Leeds United on a four-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old centre-back has been limited to just three appearances for Leeds this season, and eight in total.

Sunderland defeated Stoke City 3-1 at the Stadium of Light in the Championship last time out. The Black Cats went ahead

on the stroke of half-time when Mason Burstow headed the ball back towards

goal and was awarded his first goal since his summer loan move from Chelsea

Abdoullah Ba then added a second for the hosts shortly after the interval, before Pierre Ekwah made it 3-0 in the

70th minute. Stoke did manage to pull a goal back when Jenson Seelt diverted the

ball into his own net, yet it was too little too late.

Here, we have put together a possible starting XI and squad for next year,

including some of the possible signings, if the transfer gossip turns out to be true. Take a look here:

GK: Anthony Patterson

Sunderland have backed their academy graduate who has started every league game since the club’s promotion to the Championship. The 23-year-old also signed a long-term contract until 2028 last year.

LB: Leo Fuhr Hjelde

The 20-year-old defender has signed for Sunderland in a permanent move to the Stadium of Light from Championship rivals Leeds United. Michael Beale needs cover and competition at left-back after injuries to Dennis Cirkin and Niall Huggins

RB: Trai Hume

The signing of Leo Fuhr Hjelde could mean a return to his natural right-back position for Trai Hume. The Northern Ireland international defender, who can also play at left-back, has been one of Sunderland’s stand-out performers this campaign.

CB: Dan Ballard

The former Arsenal defender is one of the first names on Michael Beale’s teamsheet. Ballard, however, is one caution away from a two-game suspension ahead of Sunderland’s upcoming clashes against Middlesbrough and Plymouth Argyle.

CB: Luke O’Nien

Luke O’Nien has been captaining Sunderland this season in the absence of Corry Evans.

CM: Pierre Ekwah

When fit, the former West Ham man is another one of the first names on Sunderland’s teamsheet in the Championship.

CM: Dan Neil

Dan Neil is developing into one of Sunderland’s best and most effective players in the middle of the park. The local lad has played 28 times in the Championship for Sunderland this season, scoring four times and assisting a further three goals for teammates.

CM: Jobe Bellingham

Jobe Bellingham has been a revelation since signing for Sunderland from Birmingham City during the summer and has netted four goals so far this campaign.

LW: Jack Clarke

The 22-year-old has already scored 13 goals in the Championship this season and is one of the best players in the league and has been the subject of transfer interest from West Ham and Lazio but is not expected to leave this winter. The former Leeds United and Tottenham man also has three assists to his name during the current campaign.

RW: Romaine Mundle

It is understood that Sunderland have agreed a fee of around £2million with Standard for the winger. Mundle rejected a long-term deal to leave Tottenham for Standard Liege as the player wanted to play regular football but now, the highly-rated attacker.

ST: Kieffer Moore

Sunderland are one of several Championship clubs who have been credited with interest in the 31-year-old Bournemouth striker. The Sun’s Alan Nixon has claimed the Black Cats are prepared to ‘alter their transfer approach’ to try and sign the Wales international.

Potential sub: Nathan Bishop

The former Manchester United man is Sunderland’s second-choice goalkeeper.

Potential sub: Timothee Pembele

Timothee Pembele is now back fit and available for Sunderland having joined the club from PSG last summer and will likely be set for more minutes during the second half of the campaign

Potential sub: Skelly Alvero

Lyon youngster Skelly Alvero is the latest player to be linked with Sunderland during the January transfer window, according to reports in France. French publication L’Equipe have stated that Sunderland made enquires about the 21-year-old. Their report also adds Alvero is expected to leave Lyon before the end of this transfer window and recently saw a loan move to Molenbeek break down at the last hurdle. Sunderland will face competition for the player though with Werder Bremen also said to be keen.

Potential sub: Jenson Sleet

With a specialist left-back set to arrive at Sunderland, Seelt could find himself on the bench again with Trai Hume shifted to right back. Dan Ballard is currently one caution away from a two-match ban, meaning Seelt may have a starting part to play very shortly.

Potential sub: Nectarios Triantis

The Australian centre-back made his first Sunderland start in the Championship against Birmingham City and came on in the final stages against Hull City on Boxing Day.

Potential substitute: Aji Alese

The former West Ham man is working his way back from an injury and is expected to miss Sunderland’s next two games against Middlesbrough and Plymouth Argyle, a significant blow for head coach Beale

Potential substitute: Charles Sagoe

Sunderland have been linked with a loan move for Arsenal winger Charles Sagoe Jr in the final few days of the transfer window. The 19-year-old has made just one senior appearance for Arsenal’s first team in the Carabao Cup this season and has predominantly played for the Gunners’ under-21s side. Yet the teenager was withdrawn from Arsenal’s under-21s squad to face Wolves on Friday and is reportedly set to leave on loan

Potential sub: Chris Rigg

Sunderland’s young star could be set for a big second half to the season having been used fairly sparingly so far this campaign

Potential substitute: Patrick Roberts

The former Celtic, Fulham and Manchester City man has just signed a

new deal at the club until 2026 but is struggling with injury

Potential sub: Lamare Bogarde

The Athletic have reported that Sunderland are interested in signing the 20-year-old defensive midfielder on loan from Aston Villa. The Premier League club are said to be considering their options

Potential sub: Adil Aouchiche

The French attacking midfielder netted his first goal for the club against

Birmingham City earlier this season and has been in and out of the side since.

Potential sub: Corry Evans

Sunderland’s club captain will be nearing a return from injury in the New Year.

Potential sub: Callum Styles

Sunderland have held talks with Barnsley regarding Styles, a versatile midfielder who has also played at full-back, while the 23-year-old was also left out of Barnsley’s squad during their 1-0 win at Oxford on Tuesday. Manager Neil Collins admitted after the Oxford match that Barnsley were in negotiations over his possible departure for Styles, yet said there had been no progress on Saturday afternoon.

Potential sub: Nazairy Rusyn

The Ukraine striker socred his first goal for the club against Preston North End in the Championship recently but has been in and out of Beale’s starting XI.

Potential substitute: Liam Millar

Alan Nixon has claimed that the Black Cats are interested in the attacker as Jack Clarke’s long-term replacement. His report states that Sunderland have been ‘impressed ‘by Millar during his loan spell at Championship rivals Preston from Swiss club Basel.

Potential sub: Luis Hemir Semedo

The former Benfica striker joined Sunderland during the summer window.

Potential sub: Mason Burstow

The Chelsea loanee is due to remain with Sunderland until the end of the season and scored his first goal for the club against Stoke City at the Stadium of Light in the Championship recently.

Eliezer Mayenda

The striker, who joined Sunderland last summer, made his debut off the bench against Birmingham City but has yet to nail down a regular starting spot.

Potential sub: Mao Hosoya

Highly-rated Japanese youngster Mao Hosoya has emerged as a Sunderland target ahead of the January transfer window, according to Sunderland Nation.