Andros Townsend is reportedly a January transfer target for Sunderland.

The England international was one of former manager Dick Advocaat's major summer targets according to the media, but having failed to sign him, Townsend was made to stay at Tottenham Hotspur despite interest from several other clubs. 

There is no doubt that Townsend could add some quality to Sam Allardyce's struggling side, and with his personal frustrations rising regarding his playing time in London, an opportunity could open up in the winter transfer window for the Black Cats to finally get their man. 

Frustrations all round 

The Daily Mail have reported that Townsend has becoming increasingly annoyed at his lack of opportunities so far, having only featured three times this season with Spurs, and is frustrated that the club are ignoring enquiries from other Premier League clubs and then not playing him. 

The midfielder's latest frustration came in Tottenham's 3-1 win against struggling Aston Villa where Townsend was forced to watch youngster Josh Onomah make his debut from the bench, seeing Townsend miss out on another game. 

As a high quality player such as Townsend warms the bench, the frustration of the Sunderland fans only continues to rise, with them knowing all too well that he could help aid their survival campaign with his pace and dribbling abilities. 

With Allardyce witnessing his side come second best again this weekend, losing 6-2 to Everton, and his first transfer market as Sunderland boss creeping up, you can certainly expect the experienced manager to be thinking about potential signings. 

But with Townsend being a target of Advocaat's rather that Big Sam's, it's no guarantee that the new Black Cats boss shares the same feelings as the clubs former manager, which could put a stop to any potential signing. 

Play to your strengths 

There is no doubt that Sunderland have struggled as a defensive unit this season, with their inability to maintain a clean sheet having been a constant sticking point for them, whereas their attacking abilities have shown glimmers of hope with some impressive displays. 

Charlie Nicholas told Sky Sports that Sunderland, "have to change their style" and that they need to focus on their strengths in attack and play to that, especially at the Stadium of Light as it will "give them a lift from the supporters."

If Nicholas is to be believed, and Sunderland do adopt a more attacking style of play, then Townsend would be the ideal signing, given that his major strengths are his attacking qualities. 

But, in contrast, the winger is yet to provide his critics with the confidence that he can also track back and do the defensive side of the game, which could be one of the reasons he is currently struggling to break into the Tottenham side. 

That lack of defensive covering might be something that turns Allardyce off the move, and may see him invest money somewhere else, as he is surely more likely to bring in new defenders in an attempt to solve his toughest challenge at the club, meaning any deal for Townsend may have to come elsewhere - with Newcastle United also supposedly interested.