BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes will step up his search for a new striker after Jon Stead finally completed his move to Sunderland last night.

The England Under 21 international joined the Black Cats in a deal which could eventually net Rovers £1.8 million, subject to performance and appearances.

As I understand it, that means Hughes now has a budget of £3-4 million to bring in one new face - or possibly two - up front.

Rovers still have a bid on the table for a mystery player, as we reported some time ago, and that line of enquiry remains active.

And chief executive John Williams has reassured fans the club are pursuing a number of different targets in their quest to beef-up the Premiership's most shot-shy strikeforce.

"The search for new players goes on and we are working on it every day," said Williams.

"Our efforts are focused on bringing a new striker to the club and some progress has been made on that front, although a deal is not yet imminent."

Ideally, Hughes would like to bring in two new faces up front but with finances tight, one may have to be a free which will only intensify the speculation regarding a swoop for Fulham striker Andy Cole.

Meanwhile, Stead is convinced his new club can survive in the Premiership next season.

Stead turned down Charlton, a club well established in the top-flight, to join the newly-promoted Black Cats and the 22-year-old is confident Mick McCarthy can keep them there.

"I had a choice between Sunderland and Charlton, I spoke to both parties and had a look around," said Stead, who joined Sunderland for an initial £1.5 million yesterday but that figure could eventually rise to £1.8m subject to add-ons.

"It was just the feeling I got when I came here, when I saw the training ground and stadium, and especially after speaking to the manager.

"He assured me this was the place to be, and I am sure it is.

"It is a massive club, a Premiership club and I have every confidence we will be a Premiership club for many seasons to come.

"I would not have come here if I did not think 100 per cent we can do it."

Stead signed a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light as McCarthy finally got his hands on a player he has been trailing for around 18 months.

The former Huddersfield player had turned down the Wearsiders in favour of a move to Rovers in January last year, but after being presented with the opportunity to head for either the north-east or Charlton, this time he decided Sunderland was the place to be.

"It feels fantastic to be a Sunderland player," he said.

"Everything was a bit of a shock, but I am finally putting on the red and white after wearing blue and white in my career, so I am delighted and looking forward to it."

Having risen to prominence at home-town club Huddersfield, Stead made a blistering start to his Premiership career at Rovers under Graeme Souness, scoring six times in 13 league appearances.

However, he found life more difficult last season and when it became apparent that he was not in the plans of new boss Mark Hughes, McCarthy made his move.

"I am thrilled to have Jonathan on board," he said. "He is an England Under-21 international and he has scored goals in the Premier League, so he is a great signing for us.

"Jonathan is the kind of lad that will fit into our squad and team ethic straight away."