Sunderland striker Ross Stewart is Southampton’s top target at present, as Russell Martin looks to strengthen his attack, according to the Scottish Express.

Saints are looking for another striker and explored a swoop to bring in Joel Piroe from Swansea City before he joined Leeds United.

They have now been linked with Aberdeen’s Bojan Miovski, but he is not the Championship side’s main target.

Saints are looking for another striker and explored a swoop to bring in Joel Piroe from Swansea City before he joined Leeds United.

The man that Southampton want above all others is Sunderland hitman Stewart.

Saints boss Martin is a big admirer of Stewart and is keen to take him to the south coast before the transfer window closes.

Stewart has yet to play for the Black Cats this season due to injury, but he is working his way back.

The striker could play in a behind closed doors match during September’s international break, but whether he will still be at Sunderland then is unclear.

Stewart, 27, has entered the final year of his contract at the Stadium of Light.

READ MORE……….

Mark Robins says Coventry City star was ‘a joke’ against Sunderland

SUNDERLAND manager Tony Mowbray is still waiting for his attack to fire this season after they ground out a goalless draw at Coventry.

Already without long-term casualty Ross Stewart, the Black Cats were also shorn of the injured Patrick Roberts, with Mowbray continuing to mend and make do with 17-year-old Jobe Bellingham leading the line.

Mowbray is hoping he will be able to bring in a striker before the transfer window closes on Friday in order to add a cutting edge to a side that frequently dominates possession.

In terms of chances created, it was Coventry who shaded matters and it required several good saves from Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson to preserve a point for the visitors.

Mowbray said: “The game panned out a little bit differently to what I thought.

“I thought we would come here and dominate possession, like we did last year against them, and they were good first half with the ball.