Market set to pick up - O'Neill

Martin O'Neill has assured Sunderland fans that the transfer market will burst into life this month after a quiet summer to date.

The Black Cats chief has made no secret of the fact that he wants to strengthen his ranks at the Stadium of Light this summer and he has been linked with a big money swoop for Wolves striker Steven Fletcher.
However, the only business so far has seen defender Carlos Cuellar join on a Bosman free transfer, while there have been plenty of outgoings including George McCartney and Michael Turner to West Ham and Norwich respectively.
It has resulted in some fans becoming restless at the lack of new faces arriving at the Stadium of Light with the Premier League curtain-raiser against Arsenal a fortnight away.
But O'Neill is adamant that the signs are there that the transfer market is looking set to pick up and he will be ready to bring in the right players when the opportunity arises.
"I think that it may take an upturn in the not too distant future," said O'Neill in the Northern Echo. "Football clubs would have a look at last season and think where they can improve. There's a group of us in that position.
"There may be something in waiting for the big clubs to make a move. I heard that Roberto Mancini is looking at five or six to strengthen. If Man City are in that position, God help the rest of us.
"There will be plenty of movement this month."
O'Neill also hinted that other fringe players could leave on loan deals, but he insisted that defender Titus Bramble has a future at the club despite last season's problems.
He said: "Titus has had a few injury problems, but he's over those now. A fit Titus Bramble is an asset to us, he needs to stay fit that's the main thing.
"It's an interesting one, we don't want to overcook it but we need him properly fit. You might get away with half a game or one game, but if you're in there you'll get found out. We can't have him going through seven or eight games."