David Moyes has taken the step of speaking directly to Sunderland owner Ellis Short in a desperate bid to free up funds for January.
The Black Cats boss was told earlier this month that there is no money to spend and that the club is for sale.
But Moyes has since gone to the American billionaire and outlined the severity of the situation at the Stadium of Light.
Indeed, the Scot now knows that he will lose three players to the Africa Cup of Nations in January and that - coupled with a spate of long-term injuries - formed the basis of his discussion with Short.