Riding high on the crest of a confidence booming wave, Jack Diamond is keen to use his first-team experience as a springboard for further things to come.
The 17-year-old rounded off February with an emphatic brace at Stoke City, netting an individual moment of magic before later capping off a fine team goal to seal a 2-0 win.
That then saw the first-year scholar’s efforts further rewarded, as David Moyes called the youngster into first-team training at the Academy of Light.
Buoyed by the experience of working alongside the Black Cats’ senior squad, Diamond made his inaugural appearance on the bench for Elliott Dickman’s development side at Blackburn Rovers last Thursday.
Speaking to safc.com, Diamond reflected on a memorable week but admitted the eye-opening experience has given him plenty of food for thought.
“It has been good and I have really enjoyed the challenge,” he said.
“It has been a great experience and it has given me so much motivation to push on and work even harder.
“It was a surreal moment to train with the first-team because you go and watch the matches but to actually be a part of it on the training pitch was nice.
“You have to try and take bits from it,” he continued.
“I wanted to do my best and be positive when I got on the ball.
“To then come away with the under-23s was great because it’s the next step so it’s where I want to be.
“Again, though, I just need to remain focused and just keep working hard.”
