DICK ADVOCAAT still has work to do to complete his first signing as Sunderland head coach despite reaching a season-long agreement with Arsenal for defender Carl Jenkinson.

The Black Cats have agreed a £1.5m loan fee, which could rise to £2m depending on appearances, with the Gunners to put them in pole position to secure the signature even though there is strong competition from West Ham United.

But Sunderland are yet to confirm a deal has been concluded and work remains to be done for him to join up with Advocaat’s squad for pre-season training once the European Under-21s Championships are over, with suggestions that the player would prefer a return to Upton Park.

Jenkinson is a key part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad in the Czech Republic and he is likely to play in the first group game against Portugal tomorrow.

He is the sort of adventurous full-back Advocaat has asked for from sporting director Lee Congerton to compete with Billy Jones for the first team right-back slot. The idea is to have defenders down both flanks regularly getting down the line to cause opposition defences problems.

The 23-year-old spent last season at West Ham and there had been discussions aimed at keeping him for a further year. Slaven Bilic, the Hammers’ new boss, was keen to have the money to spend in other areas of the squad rather than on loan signings, but interest remains.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger does not want to sell the player and prefers to see how he copes with a further year in the Premier League playing regularly. The switch to Sunderland is seen as offering up just that, but Jenkinson could still be lured to West Ham if Bilic acts swiftly.

Sunderland are showing an interest in Leeds United’s Sam Byram as well, although the Elland Road club are quoting clubs around the £6m mark. Byram can also play right-back, but he is just as effective further forward.

An early breakthrough on the transfer front would be a bonus for Advoaat, who could still be ready to give a pre-season opportunity to Greek winger Charis Mavrias.

Panathanaikos have delayed a decision to keep Mavrias permanently even though they are interested in keeping their academy graduate for a further year. They are likely to return with an offer to take him back on loan again later in the summer.

For now Panathanaikos have other priorities and are keen to see what money they have available before attempting to take the 21-year-old back. That could see Mavrias back at Sunderland in a couple of weeks to start training under Advocaat for the first time.

Mavrias has 12 months remaining on his contract so time is running out for him to be a success in the Premier League after a poor two years since he was signed by former sporting director Roberto De Fanti.

He has only played four times in the Premier League for the Black Cats since making the switch for a reputed £2m deal nearly two years ago and he had looked set for a greater role under Gus Poyet.

Poyet played him regularly during the last pre-season, even asking him to play in a right-back role, and he was one of the brighter performers during the club’s trip to Portugal for a few friendlies.

If Mavrias is unsuccessful then Advocaat and Congerton are likely to give the go-ahead for a further season-long loan switch which would effectively spell the end of his time in the North-East.

Mavrias, Valentin Roberge and El-Hadji Ba, who had an injury-ravaged loan spell at Bastia, are all due back at the club with their futures uncertain.

Sunderland’s main concern is strengthening. Owner Ellis Short is prepared to back Advocaat on the transfer front to add quality in key areas rather than have an increase in numbers for the sake of it.

The uncertainty surrounding the future of Ricky Alvarez – who could yet end up at Sunderland in a £7.5m deal from Inter Milan if arbitration dictates that outcome –complicates things slightly because Advocaat does not view him as part of his plans.

Sunderland have lined up a £4m deal for Sebastian Coates from Liverpool once his Copa America adventure is over with Uruguay.

And the Wearside club are also closing in on Swedish teenager Oscar Krusnell. The AIK defender, who is an Under-16s international left-back, is thought to have agreed a two-year scholarship.