Sunderland have moved closer to signing two more players after weekend discussions with Paul McShane and Paul Robinson. West Bromwich Albion have agreed an estimated joint £5 million fee for the defensive pair, who subsequently travelled to the North East for talks, although it is understood that Robinson’s transfer is less certain.

While the club are waiting to hear whether David Nugent will consent to a £6 million move from Preston North End, Sunderland’s approach in the transfer window has thus far been low-key, yet that has been a deliberate tactic. “I would say the majority are players from the British Isles and are people who see the long term, who have a real desire to play football on the big stage,” Niall Quinn, the chairman, said.

Sunderland have signed Greg Halford from Reading and Russell Anderson, the defender, who immediately donated his loyalty bonus from Aberdeen back to the club’s youth academy. “Some people might prefer a £10 million punt on some foreigner an agent sent us a video of, but I know who I’d rather have at the football club and, deep down, I know what the real Sunderland fans want,” Quinn said.

Quinn pointed to the example of Dwight Yorke during the club’s promotion campaign. “It’s refreshing to see Dwight as fit as he is, covering the ground he covered for us, showing the young lads how it’s done,” he said. “His commitment last season was colossal. With that, Roy Keane and the new signings, we hope we’ll bring that enthusiasm to the Premiership.

“I suppose what will give me the greatest satisfaction this year is seeing a player wanting to get to the ball first, wanting to make that tackle, sticking his chest out and lifting this crowd. Whether it was Kevin Ball or Grant Leadbitter last year, there’s something about conviction that lifts Sunderland fans and their reaction in turn lifts the team.

“No matter how skilful and graceful the players we sign are, it’s that commitment to the team that’s so vital. The great thing is that I see it here. I can’t say what our results will be, but that will give me the greatest satisfaction, Sunderland being in the Premiership and people saying, ‘Aren’t they something this time’.”