Reports: Sunderland Take Two On Trial

Reports have come out in the last couple of days that Sunderland have taken two midfield players on trial, although permanent deals for the pair remain unlikely.

Both come with tenuous links to Sunderland, with the first to arrive being Canadian winger Josh Janniere. The 20-year old is a product of Toronto FC's academy - a program headed up by former Sunderland striker Danny Dichio.

Having failed to make the grade at Toronto he has since moved to Colorado Rapids, but was released without making a single MLS appearance for them. Interestingly we've also recently had Colorado's reserve 'keeper Steward Ceus training with us, but much like Janniere, a deal seems highly unlikely.

Janniere is a right winger, known for his pace however is very small and slight. Think an incredibly low-rent Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The second to arrive is Albert Bruce, a 19-year old, tall, Ghanaian central midfielder. His tenuous link to Sunderland is that he comes from Asante Kotoko - the Ghanaian giants whom we signed an agreement with last season.

Bruce told GhanaSoccernet how the move came about;

I do not know yet whether I will be tested in the first team or the reserves.

The English club only saw my videos and they were impressed so they want to see me in person to examine how I play. I'm going there for two weeks.

Bruce is known to be an 'enforcer' type midfielder, and that is a role in which we are lacking. The main sticking point for him - and Janniere - would be work-permits. Although Bruce has the advantage of picking up several caps at Ghanaian youth level, unlike his fellow triallist.