MICHAEL BEALE is confident the signing of Leo Hjelde and Callum Styles has solved Sunderland’s issues at left-back.

The left of the Black Cats’ back four has been a problem area all season with Dennis Cirkin and Aji Alese both suffering from long-term issues that have kept them on the sidelines for the majority of the campaign.

Trai Hume has been switched to left-back for the last month or so, but the Northern Ireland international is more naturally a right-back and, while he has performed effectively out of position, he is much more comfortable on the right-hand side.

Hjelde, who has joined Sunderland from Leeds United, can play at either left-back or centre-half, while Styles, who has moved to Wearside from Barnsley, is a midfielder who can also play at left-back or left wing-back.

Together, Beale feels the duo offer the kind of naturally left-footed balance Sunderland have lacked on occasion this season.

The Black Cats head coach said: “We’ve had a big issue on the left side of defence. Trai has gone over there, and Jenson (Seelt) has come in at right-back, and both of them have done really well, but you’d love to have balance.

“We had it for a period of time when Aji was back fit, but then we lost it after a couple of games.

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“Leo is an option for us, and I feel that Callum can play either as a left-back or as a left wing-back, and because he’s used to playing in midfield he can move diagonally into there, which supports Jack (Clarke), who likes to stay wide.

“He can certainly play in a two or a three-man midfield on the left of it. He’s a player I’ve actually followed for a while.

“I know the club have been interested for a while. He was one that once the club mentioned him, I was really keen, and I actually met him one-on-one to speak about joining a previous club so I’m delighted to be working with him.”

Having spent the last week training with his new team-mates, Hjelde will hope to make his Sunderland debut at left-back in this lunchtime’s Tees-Wear derby with Sunderland.