Kevin Nolan is ready to join Sunderland's fight against relegation.

The 33-year-old free agent wants to return to action following his release from West Ham and manager-elect Sam Allardyce views him as a key figure to lift his dressing room.

Nolan has turned down offers from Leyton Orient and Bolton as he waited to see Allardyce's next move.

Kevin Nolan is set to be reunited with Sam Allardyce once more at Sunderland after previous spells together

The pair lift the Championship play-off trophy in 2012 after guiding the Hammers back to the Premier League

He left West Ham as it became clear Slaven Bilic would only utilise him as a squad player and hopes to have an uplifting affect on Sunderland's misfiring squad.

Nolan has captained sides under Allardyce at Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham and those leadership qualities will be called upon again as Allardyce looks to rescue Sunderland from relegation.

Allardyce signed a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light on Friday, despite having vowed to take at least a year out from the game after being sacked by West Ham within hours of the Hammers' final game of last season.