MIKE Dodds believes the answer to Sunderland's longstanding striker woe could be "right under their nose" - and has backed Jobe Bellingham to establish himself as the Black Cats number nine.

Strengthening up-front is a priority for Sunderland this summer and they'll undoubtedly look to bolster their forward line, but Dodds believes Bellingham could make the position his own.

With Sunderland's strikers having endured a nightmare season, Dodds has turned to Bellingham and played the teenager up-front in the last three games - and the former Birmingham youngster is almost certain to again lead the line for the Black Cats at Leeds United tonight.

Bellingham has played in a variety of midfield roles for Sunderland this season but Dodds believes Bellingham can develop into a top frontman.

"The number nine position this summer is going to be a discussion point, let's be completely honest, but we might have someone ready made in that position," said Dodds.

"He's 18. What's he going to look like in another 12 months? It might be right under our nose. Sometimes those things happen, when the secret is right in front of you, you don't see it. Why not?

"He's athletic, he's 18 so he'll only get stronger, he's 6ft3, he's a lovely footballer.

"In two of the three games, he's played really well and his movement was excellent.

"He should have done better with a couple of chances but he's in the right areas, so why can't he be our answer?

"We have discussed that. We have five games left, he has the summer and he'll have six weeks or so to refine his game. My statement would be why not, why can't Jobe be the No.9 for the football club?"

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With Naziry Rusyn facing a fight to feature again this season because of a calf injury, Chelsea loanee Mason Burstow and summer signing Hemir having struggled to impress and Eliezer Mayenda out on loan at Hibs, there's every chance Bellingham will continue to lead the line between now and the end of the campaign.

Dodds said: "In two of the last three games he's been very, very good, in particular the first game (Cardiff).

"I thought his movement in the first half on Saturday was outstanding. It completely dislodged their backline. Chris Rigg's movement was really good as well. Their movement was the reason we created so many chances in the first half.

"We always go through all the clips of the players, particularly the younger players. I also think there are still element in Jobe's game where he's still finding certain movements, his reaction to do things a bit quicker, but we are asking him to play in a position as such a young boy which is such a focal point and we've found out this year more than any other year how important this position is.

"There's nobody more than myself standing at the side of the pitch who's crying out for some more options in that area.

"We don't watch too much of other people, in development you can do that, but he has so much going on in terms of a young man playing so many minutes you have to be careful you don't give him paralysis.

"Just focusing on him, I think is really important. Two of the three games he has played that role really well. Who knows, that might be a position for him next season."