Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has admitted that he may consider signing Kevin Nolan in the future once he has assessed his squad at the Stadium of Light.
The 33-year-old is available on a free transfer following his release by West Ham United at the end of last season, and Nolan has served as Allardyce's captain during his tenure at the Hammers and Bolton Wanderers.
However, the 60-year-old has revealed that he will give the current players at the Black Cats time to impress him before he makes additions to the team.
He told reporters: "I need to assess the squad and take it from there. Kevin and me go a long way back, as everyone knows.
"Nolan is an addition I may look at in the future, I may choose to enter down that line but at the moment it's about giving the players I've got here an opportunity to show what they can do."
Nolan played for Sunderland's bitter rivals Newcastle United for three seasons.