Sunderland appear to have ended their interest in Burton Albion striker Liam Boyce.
The Northern Ireland man had been on the radar of the Black Cats this transfer window, as well as Scottish Premiership strugglers Hearts.
But speaking on Thursday, Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson said he was not looking to add a fourth striker to his squad following the arrival of Boyce's international teammate Kyle Lafferty.
"With Liam, he is a player I have known for a while and we've watched recently," Parkinson said.
"But with Kyle Lafferty coming in, and with Charlie and Will Grigg already here, to bring in another [central striker] would probably be one too many."
Burton boss Nigel Clough confirmed yesterday that the Brewers turned down two separate bids for Boyce - one believed to be from the side currently sixth in League One.
Boyce is in the last six months of his contract at the Pirelli Stadium and that was a big reason that Sunderland thought they could get a deal sorted this month.
Hearts are also interested in landing the former Cliftonville forward.
Sunderland are now set to turn their attention to filling in other areas in midfield and bring in another option at full-back with Parkinson adding: "We would possibly like to add to the squad again but we will only do so if we feel the right player has become available."
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