Sunderland may play TWO trialists against St Mirren game and target THREE free agents

The Black Cats are trying to strengthen their squad ahead of the start of the League One season which kicks off against Charlton Athletic on August 4.

Donald, along with head of recruitment Tony Coton and Richard Hill, are pushing to add more quality to Jack Ross' side, with bids in place for strikers Mo Eisa and Charlie Wyke, while Reading midfielder George Evans is in talks over personal terms.

Former Port Vale forward Anton Forrester has already appeared for the Black Cats on trial against Darlington, and could be handed a second opportunity to impress.

Donald said: "There's a couple of free agents that we are looking at as well and we have got a couple of players who are coming in who want to prove themselves to us who may feature on Saturday.

"There's a couple of trialists, I think we have got four bids out and there are three free transfers we are looking at. And we are looking at putting bids out for a couple of others.

"That's 10 players and I think realistically we will probably get half of those."

Donald, meanwhile, admitted that with just over two weeks to the start of the season, and with only two pre-season games left, he is getting 'itchy' as he looks to bolster the first-team squad.

He added: "We are deeply into negotiations on four or five players and I'm desperate to get those players in. It's got to be right on the numbers .

"We have got offers out - some of those have been accepted and some of those are close to being accepted.

"I would be surprised if, ultimately, we didn't get all of our bids accepted, they're all good bids. There might be a bit of tweaking here and there but we are not far away.

"If I'm honest, we have got two games left and I would have liked to have had an extra half a dozen players in the team.

"Everyone seems far more relaxed than I am in the football structure. Tony and Richard and taking their time, doing the deals and making sure we're not paying too much and I'm like a cat on a hot tin roof. You don't want them halfway through August or right on deadline day. I'm starting to get a bit itchy."