LEROY FER was on Wearside last night to undergo a medical ahead of a loan move to Sunderland, and he was due to be joined by French midfielder Yann M’Vila.

While Holland international Fer was at the Academy of Light to discuss the season-long loan switch from Queens Park Rangers, the Black Cats expect M’Vila for talks and similar tests.

QPR and Rubin Kazan, the respective clubs involved in negotiations for the players, are both willing to sanction deals with Sunderland and they could be involved against Leicester on Saturday.

Fer, 25, had other options, including a return to Holland to join PSV Eindhoven, but he has been attracted by the prospect of teaming up with Dick Advocaat and his cousin, Patrick van Aanholt.

Advocaat hopes Fer will provide more creativity in the final third for the likes of Jermain Defoe, while there is also still a keenness to add another striker following the departure of £9m Connor Wickham.

M’Vila will be an alternative to play central midfield, so he will be challenging Jack Rodwell, Lee Cattermole and Seb Larsson for a starting spot provided there are no late problems.

The 25-year-old France international has been on Sunderland’s radar in the past but they have been unable to conclude a deal. It is hoped both deals will go-ahead later today, meaning they will be in contention against Leicester.

M’Vila helped France reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 but was attracted to Russia to play for Rubin when they were the only club willing to match Rennes’ £10m price-tag in 2013.

He was due to spend last season on loan at Inter Milan but it was cut short in January. Sunderland hope to get him back to the sort of form that made Champions League clubs take notice when he was with Rennes.

While Advocaat is working on new recruits, he also hopes Emanuele Giaccherini will come good at after a frustrating couple of years in England.

The Italy international was restricted to just 12 appearances last season but he has featured heavily during pre-season.

Giaccherini said: “I’m excited for the new season and I hope that it is a good year for me and the team.

“We need to start well and we need to take points from the first four games, but right now we’re just focusing on winning against Leicester City.

“I want to show my quality for the supporters and for myself. The first season was OK with a few goals and assists but the second was difficult due to injury. Hopefully I can reward the investment in me by the fans and the club.”