Burnley confirm Oster signing

Burnley FC have confirmed that they have completed the signing of sacked Sunderland midfielder John Oster.

The Welsh international was released from his contract after an investigation by Sunderland into his repeated misbehaviour whilst on loan at Leeds United in December.

His contract with former Sunderland assistant manager Steve Cotterill's club will see him stay at Turf Moor for the rest of this season, with squad number 8 allocated to him.

Cotterill said today, "Hopefully he'll bring us some quality. He's a technician, and that's something we really don't have. With a good technician you always have a chance of scoring from a set piece.

"He's a good footballer and will retain the ball for us."

Oster was in Cotterill's starting eleven to face Bournemouth today in the FA Cup 4th round, and the Burnley gaffer said of Oster's Clarets debut "He'll get a lot better when he gets fitter - he hasn't played for a month and that showed at times."

Burnley beat Bournemouth 2-0 to progress to the 5th round.

Mick signs a midfielder

Mick McCarthy has completed the signing of young Irish midfielder Billy Dennehy.

Dennehy, 17, had a trial with Sunderland last year after McCarthy's scout Dave Bowman spotted him playing in Ireland and he was offered a contract - but the legalities couldn't be completed until the January transfer window, reports SAFC.com.

The Irish U18 international also had trials with Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Southampton and had offers from them, but chose to take up the option to play for Sunderland.

SAFC scout Bowman said "He can play left-midfield or left wing and has promise. He's tall and athletic.

"We think he can develop with the help of Mick and his coaches at the academy. It's unfair to compare him to anyone, let's just allow him to develop and hopefully we can bring him on.

"He's a very fit boy. Some lads we invite in for a trial struggle with the fitness side, but he hasn't and all we heard were positives from the people he had worked with."

McCarthy said, "Billy's a young lad with potential. He came in and trained with us and impressed us with his ability and attitude. He's one for the future."

Dennehy, who previously represented his home county of Kerry in Gaelic football, could well get his debut for Sunderland against Nottingham Forest reserves on Monday night (31 Jan) at Durham City FC's ground.