Andy Welsh has revealed he is keen to build on the success Sunderland under-23s enjoyed in 2016.
While academy graduates Duncan Watmore and Jordan Pickford became prominent members of the first-team, fellow youngsters Lynden Gooch, Tommy Robson, George Honeyman and Rees Greenwood also broke into the set-up during the 2015-16 term.
But the rich vein of talent coming through the Academy of Light’s youth system didn't stop there as this season has already seen Josh Maja, Joel Asoro, Elliot Embleton, Michael Ledger and Ethan Robson emerge.
Furthermore, impressive victories over European heavyweights Benfica and PSV Eindhoven saw the young Black Cats end 2016 in fine form, and now Welsh has set his sights on emulating the academy’s success again in 2017.
“The academy has got some really good players in it and there are a few in the first-team squad now,” he said.
“We have just got to keep hoping that we can keep passing them onto the manager because we have got some good young lads.
“Embleton, Maja and Asoro are doing very well and I thought (Ethan) Robson was excellent against PSV Eindhoven,” he continued.
“They have all done very well though and we are hoping for further opportunities in the first team in 2017.”
