Sunderland will play their first pre-season friendly of the summer on Saturday as they travel to Gateshead, but it's fair to say the squad is still looking a little thin.
After a summer of many releases, just Aiden O'Brien and Bailey Wright returning on a permanent deal have been announced thus far. There are of course under-23 players such as Brandon Taylor and Elliot Embleton hoping to make an impression too.
Manager Phil Parkinson is clear that he would still like five new additions to his first-team squad, but with new salary caps limiting Sunderland's budget it's fair to say that not all five will be guaranteed starters.
But work still needs to be done with the first competitive game two weeks from Saturday when Hull City visit in the Carabao Cup, with the league campaign kicking off a week later.
The club are more likely to look for younger players who will for now be back-up to the regular starters, while having the potential to develop over time.
An example of this would be Morgan Feeney - the ex-Everton defender who has been on trial at the club and is said to be impressing.
So what would your strongest Sunderland side be? And where do you believe Sunderland still need a new signing who would go straight into the team?
Our interactive team selector tool is set up to include all of the current Sunderland players, as well as five options of '???' which would indicate that you believe Sunderland need a signing in whatever position you put them in who could come straight into the team. It's worth noting that the positions they're listed in does not restrict where you ultimately drop them into your team.
So what is your strongest team for the upcoming season? Does Aiden O'Brien start, and if so, as a forward or as a striker? Where are new first-team starters still needed?
Have your say by picking your strongest team using our team selector tool above.
