Sunderland AFC news: Blackburn want ex-Cats strike force, pre-season details, striker targeted
Stokes - who netted five goals in 38 appearances for Sunderland - agreed a three-year deal with Blackburn last week after a Bosman move from Celtic.
But Coyle still wants to add a frontman, with Danny Graham on the shortlist to play alongside Stokes, albeit Celtic are also interested in the 30-year-old.
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Hide AdSunderland confirmed earlier this month that Graham will be released at the end of his Black Cats deal, which formally expires next week.
Sam Allardyce is on the lookout for a new striker himself after the departure of Graham, Steven Fletcher and on-loan Trabzonspor frontman Dame N'Doye.
Weekend reports in Italy linked Sunderland with an £11million move for ex-Manchester City man Edin Dzeko, just 12 months after he joined Roma.
However, there would be a major barrier towards any deal. Find out the issue here.
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Hide AdMeanwhile, Sunderland have announced details of a three-game pre-season tour to the Lake Geneva area of France next month.
Sunderland will face Swiss lower league side FC Stade Nyonnais before encounters against French top flight duo Montepellier and Dijon.
Read a guide to Sunderland's trio of opponents here.