Sunderland should be able to prise any player they wish from League One ahead of the new season.

And Jack Ross is adding players who should settle into League One effortlessly. 

He is using his experience of the Scottish leagues to sign Premier League players for a team in the third tear of football.

A problem area for the Black Cats last season was in goal. They had a poor back line but the last line of defence is the goalkeeper.

Lee Camp was once a highly rated man between the sticks but he hasn’t shown the form he was on when he was back at Nottingham Forest.

Such a signing like Jon McLaughlin from Hearts will ease fears of a repeat this coming season.

Ross used his nous of the SPL to acquire the Hearts keeper from a team who had the second-best defence in the Scottish top flight last year.

Another solid addition has been Dylan McGeough arriving from Hibernian. He was their player of the year.

The midfielder had tempting offers to join Aberdeen or stay in Hibs but decided on a move to the north-east.

He could well be a pivotal player in the third tear for Sunderland.

Downsizing is key and arrivals of free transfers will be the preferred way to make new signings but only if they carry on adding quality for the division they are in. Then Sunderland fans shouldn’t fear of a third straight relegation.

Tom Flanagan from Burton Albion is a clear statement of intent in arresting the slump.

The defender was one of the Brewers' best performers last year in a campaign that saw his former side join Sunderland in League One.

The Black Cats' current transfer dealings should help restore some faith at the Stadium of Light after a dark few years.