YORK City boss Gary Mills is hoping to unveil new signings by the end of the week – after revealing he has signed former loan winger Ashley Chambers for next season.

The news comes as the club announced that Premier League sides Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland are coming to Bootham Crescent for pre-season friendlies.

The Minstermen manager agreed terms with 21-year-old Chambers after he was released by Leicester.

He added he was optimistic at least one, perhaps two players, would put pen to paper for the club imminently.

Mills said: “I have agreed again with Ashley Chambers. His loan finished with us and his contract was not renewed at Leicester.

“I sat down with him and agreed a new contract with him and he will be signing for us for next season. I am also hoping to have one, maybe two, new faces that will sign for us by the end of the week.”

Chambers was released earlier this week by the Foxes. After joining City in November, he made 24 league and cup starts for Mills, scoring three goals.

While fans await Mills’ forays into the transfer market, the club announced their home pre-season friendly programme as they prepare for the upcoming Blue Square Bet Premier season – and Bolton and Sunderland were the standout attractions.

Steve Bruce’s Black Cats will arrive on Wednesday, July 13 (kick-off 7.30pm), while Owen Coyle’s Trotters are due to visit York on Saturday, August 6 (kick-off 3pm).

In between, on Saturday, July 30, York will host League One outfit Hartlepool United (kick-off 3pm).

Bolton’s stars will need no introduction to York supporters, with City only narrowly falling 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium in a keenly-contested FA Cup third round clash in January. Mills said the friendly with Bolton – who finished 14th in the top tier – came out of that tie, while adding he had been able to use his contacts to secure a visiting team from Sunderland.

“With Bolton, it’s something we asked about the week following the third round of the FA Cup,” he added.

“We just felt, apart from the result, that everything on the day was just superb.

“On and off the pitch we got on superbly well and we thought it might be nice to ask if they would come back for pre-season. They have said they would.”

Sunderland ended the Premier League season in tenth place.

Mills added: “As regards Sunderland, I am good friends with Eric Black, who is assistant manager to Steve Bruce, and again asked the question. They have decided they can come and play.

“It is great to have two Premier League sides and, for us, it will be a big test.

“Pre-season is about getting a good mix of games and I just feel the three we have got at home will be fantastic for us.

“I hope the excitement of these ties brings our fans through the turnstiles and they will come out and watch and, for the team to prepare for the new season against Premier League players, it all works well.”

Admission prices for the pre-season matches are £10 adults and £5 concessions. The club have said away games will be announced once they are confirmed.