Paul Bryson is pleased with the signs 16-year-old Dan Neil has made after making his debut for Sunderland under-23s on Monday.
The central midfielder came on in the 75th minute, replacing Adam Bale, as development team boss, Elliott Dickman, rewarded the youngster following a bright start to the campaign.
Having signed his scholarship in the summer, along with Bali Mumba, Neil will be hoping to follow in his steps after being asked to train with the first team on certain occasions so far this season.
Speaking to safc.com, youth team coach Bryson has talked up the potential of the youngster, admitting he has all the attributes to make the step up to the under-23s on a regular basis.
“Dan had a really bad injury and only got back to playing full-time last Christmas,” he said.
“He reads the game ever so well, his game understanding is ever so good and in possession he gives good angles and receives it well.
“He has the ability to pick a pass out and the knowledge of when to quicken the game up and slow it down is brilliant.
“He has trained with the first team a couple of times and obviously played for the under-23s last Monday – so the signs are good.
“That’s the challenge he needs now.”
Saturday sees the under-18s entertain Blackburn Rovers on Wearside, kick-off 12.30pm, looking to stretch their unbeaten run to four games in all competitions after taking points off West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City in the league recently.
“Saturday’s game is one of those we have to be looking to win. If you can’t win a game, you have to make sure you don’t lose it, but we are on a good run and it would be nice to continue that.
“It’s important and it would be nice to get a win under our belts because it opens up that gap to six points between us and Blackburn.”