With Charlie Wyke still suffering with injury and Jerome Sinclair failing to impress, Sunderland could be in the market for a new striker in January.
Josh Maja is leading the line for Sunderland, aged just 19, with 13 goals in 25 appearances.
But the talented teenager is out of contract at the end of the season, throwing his future into doubt, and even if he stays, he needs support up front.
Jack Ross will be weighing up his options but Jayden Stockley could be Sunderland’s answer.
The 25-year-old is currently at League Two side Exeter City, where he is thriving in a centre-forward role.
Stockley netted a hat-trick in yesterday’s 3-2 win over Oldham Athletic, taking his tally to 14 goals in 26 games for the Grecians this season.
That follows last term’s tally of 25 goals in 48 games, showing it is clear that he is better than League Two standard.
At 6ft 3in tall, Stockley is an ideal target man for Sunderland to base their attack around.
Working alongside Maja, the former Bournemouth and Aberdeen man could spearhead Sunderland’s promotion bid this season.
With service from the likes of Chris Maguire, George Honeyman, Lynden Gooch and Aiden McGeady, Stockley will surely be able to replicate his goal scoring exploits in a higher division.