Elliott Dickman is pleased with the progress Adam Bale has made over pre-season following his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
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The midfielder completed his scholarship last term from the injury room after suffering a season-ending injury back in October 2016.
However, nine months on Bale has battled his way back to fitness and has featured prominently in the under-23s’ pre-season camp in Austria and domestic friendlies.
Speaking to safc.com, Dickman voiced his delight at the 18-year-old’s return to action with Sheffield Wednesday providing the next challenge this afternoon.
“It is great to see him back on the field,” he said.
“(He has made some big challenges), that is the kind of player he is. He always give 100 per cent and is very committed whenever he goes out onto the field.
“He isn’t going to shy out of anything competitive so it is great to have him back after such a long time out.
“He has done that since he was 12 and I can’t see him changing,” he continued.
“That is in his DNA, of course there are things he needs to get better at.
“We want to see him with a bit more quality with his decision making but we will never question his and attitude.”
*Please note Sunderland under-23s’ pre-season friendlies at the Academy of Light are behind closed doors. No entry to the public is permitted.