While not directly involved, today's Deadline Day could still be a hugely significant day for Sunderland.
By 5pm Premier League and Championship clubs must have their summer transfer business done, with only free agents able to be wrapped up after the deadline.
For Premier League clubs there is also the significant 25-man squad to be officially named, which will leave plenty of players at top flight clubs with uncertain futures.
This could be a huge advantage for Jack Ross and the Black Cats, with plenty of very good talent potentially available and, in instances where they'd prefer to stay in England, Sunderland in League One could potentially be one of the most attractive prospects on offer.
Of course, clubs across Europe can still sign players right up until the same September 2 transfer deadline that Sunderland have, and moves to Scotland could also become more attractive, with Rangers' Steven Gerrard already confirming his desire to take advantage of the early deadline. You can guarantee he won't be the only one north of the border thinking similarly.
So while Sunderland may still have some competition, the road ahead in the remainder of the transfer window should look a lot clearer for them by Friday morning.
Left-back cover remains their priority. They've been linked with ex-Swansea player Martin Olsson on a free, but have interest in Tom Pearce, wanted also by Barnsley. If the Tykes don't secure Pearce by 5pm, a loan move for the Leeds man is certainly something the Black Cats are likely to look closer at once again.
Ross has made no secret of his desire to have a smaller squad this season. But the late deadline and uncertainty for many Premier League and Championship players could yet lead to more arrivals before 5pm on Monday, September 2.
They have six games - including the Carabao Cup clash with Accrington Stanley - between now and their deadline, and that gives Ross a good chance to further look at his squad and assess if certain areas need a little more strength.
Speak to supporters and another attacking midfielder and a centre-back would be on the list for most.
There'll no doubt be more than a few of both at Premier League clubs who weren't registered in their side's 25-man squad list who will therefore have to move on. Wages might be an issue on a permanent basis due to EFL financial fair play rules, but that doesn't rule out loan deals where the parent club are willing to pay a percentage of the player's wages.
It might take a bit a wheeling and dealing from Tony Coton and Richard Hill, but there's certainly still potential for a few more new faces this summer yet.
Elsewhere, the situation with one or two players at Sunderland should be a lot more clearer by 5pm also.
Jon McLaughlin has interest from the Championship and is yet to be offered an extension on his current deal that expires next summer. Owner Stewart Donald has said he won't sell for any less than £5m, while Sunderland fans will no doubt be relieved to see the deadline come and go with McLaughlin still a Black Cat.
The expectation is that the club will look to tie him down to a new deal once they've completed their business in the market, with the goalkeeper not concerned at this stage over his future.
Another who could have potentially left the club this summer is Duncan Watmore. The forward is on a high wage at the club and is one they would have been happy to dispense with if possible.
However, with his injury-hell over the past two years, the former England U21 international is unlikely to have much interest and now looks likely to stay until January at least.
That could be a huge advantage to Ross, who is a fan of Watmore. The player himself is determined to rejuvenate his ailing career, and while there were signs of rust, particularly in his touch, he was encouragingly bright and dangerous from the bench on the opening day against Oxford.
If Sunderland could get him fully fit and keep him injury-free, he has the potential to be one of the best players in the whole division. Perhaps forgotten by some, this is a player terrorising Premier League defences three years ago, and delighting Sam Allardyce in the process.
