Sunderland reserves coach Kevin Ball is looking forward to working with two of their latest signings.
David Ferguson has joined the club from Darlington, while Wade Joyce also arrives having previously been on the books at Bury.
Ball is looking forward to working with the pair, who he assessed in trials last season.
"David was at Darlington last year and we had the opportunity to bring him in for a few weeks towards the end of the season," he explained to safc.com.
"He impressed us as a staff enough to offer him a contract and he's really hungry and a local lad.
"David is a fit boy who looks after himself and this is a great opportunity for him. As the cliché goes, he needs to grab the opportunity with both hands and must make sure he does that.
"Wade came up on trial as well and again did enough to impress the staff and earn a contract. We look forward to working with him too."