Luke O'Nien on what he'll bring to the team, pre-season progress and the Stadium of Light

The 23-year-old is hoping to go straight into contention for Sunderland's clash with Charlton Athletic on Saturday after signing a two-year deal.

O'Nien is Sunderland's tenth summer signing and says he will bring hard work and togetherness to the team.

"I'm going to give everything for the club, that's always been my way wherever I've been," he told safc.com.

"I'm going to work hard and the direction of the club is only going to be up from here. I'm going to do whatever I can to help the club get back to where it belongs. We'll be one big group working in one direction.

"I was watching Sunderland in the Premier Leaque a couple of years ago, I know the goal of the club is to get promoted and I'm to help work towards that.

"I feel very good [physically]."The way the sports scientists at Wycombe have done things has been brilliant over the last three years for me.

"Pre-season has been very good so I just want to get started now."

O'Nien paid tribute to his former club, who will compete with the Black Cats in League One this season.

The energetic midfielder was a key player in the XI that won promotion for League Two last year.

He said: "Last season was a hell of a season. I'll always be grateful to Wycombe for what they did for me. The gaffer, the assistant, everyone at the club. I owe endless gratitude to them, I wouldn't be here without them."

O'Nien now looks set to compete with George Honeyman and Bali Mumba for two spaces in the first team on Saturday.

Jack Ross is hopeful that Dylan McGeouch will be fit to ply but there are doubts over Lee Cattermole, who missed the Middlesbrough game through illness, and Ethan Robson, who has missed the last two pre-season games.

And Sunderland's tenth summer signing says he can't wait to get started at the 'beautiful' Stadium of Light.

"You saw the smile on my face, it was beautiful," he said.

"I've never been here so it was special walking out there, I'm looking forward to getting out there come the first game of the season.

"The training ground, too, is beautiful and I just want to get working now."

Sunderland's search for extra firepower up front continues, with Bradford City's Charlie Wyke the top target.

Ross is hoping to strengthen before the league opener this weekend but Wyke will not be available regardless due to injury.