Cole has made eight appearances for Sunderland this season (Getty)

The 36-year-old former Manchester United striker becomes Coyle's second Black Cats' import, joining defender Stanislav Varga at Turf Moor.

Coyle told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Andrew Cole's got an awful lot to offer this football club."

Meanwhile, the Clarets have extended the loan spell of Slovakian veteran Varga, 35, until the end of the season.

Cole had fallen behind the likes of Kenwyne Jones, Anthony Stokes and Michael Chopra in the pecking order at the Stadium of Light, making only eight appearances this season.

He's been a top professional all his career Boss Owen Coyle on Cole

And the arrival of Swedish international striker Rade Prica has forced the former England international to look elsewhere for first-team opportunities.

But Coyle has no doubts about Cole's qualities: "He's still hungry to score goals, he's got a point to prove and that's the type of player I want to bring to the football club.

"There's not an ounce of body fat on him. He's been a top professional all his career and that's why he's had a distinguished career because he's looked after himself."