Elliott Dickman has admitted Sunderland under-18s' first-year scholars have been presented with a great opportunity to shine during pre-season.
A new-look youth team which included eight fresh faces in the starting XI ran out 4-0 winners over Gateshead College in their opening friendly last Saturday.
All four goals were scored by new additions and now a week on, following an intense training camp, the under-18s are preparing to pit their wits against Sheffield United tomorrow.
Speaking to safc.com Dickman shared his pleasure over the number of youth team players involved in the under-21s and first team's pre-season as it has given him a chance to look at the first-year scholars more closely.
“We have got Josh Maja away with the first team which is fantastic and there are a number of lads; Elliot (Embleton), Joel (Asoro), Brandon (Taylor) and Alex (Storey) training with the under-21s for the next few weeks, so that is great for them,” he said.
“That has given the younger lads an opportunity to show me what they can do.”
“We tend to ease the first years into the games programme because of the way it is," he continued. "However, it’s great a opportunity for the first-years, the lads who are with the under-21s and the ones with the senior team to prove themselves."
