Jack Ross has taken a keen interest in youth since being appointed as the manager of League One Sunderland.
Sunderland fans have been forced to endure one of the worst periods in the club’s history, but at least the influx of promising youngsters has given them something to smile about.
Josh Maja has started the League One campaign in fine style, netting five times in seven games, while academy graduates Lynden Gooch, George Honeyman, Bali Mumba and Denver Hume look to have a big part to play under Jack Ross.
According to Sunderland’s U23 boss Elliott Dickman, highly-rated striker Connor Shields is on Ross’s radar, too. The 21-year-old is out on loan at Alloa Athletic in Scotland, but the Black Cats have the option to re-call him in January.
“It’s taken a while for it to happen for him, and moving forward he’s going to be playing against men so for his development it is going to be a good move,” Dickman told the Sunderland Echo of Shields, who made his debut for Alloa at the weekend.
“As long as he shows improvement, that willingness to work and develop his all-round game, it’s a good opportunity for him.
“There’s a few people might know the manager up there and the manager’s been keen on Connor for a while.”
Third-tier Alloa are a part-time club, meaning Shields can play for them at the weekend while training with Sunderland during the week. And this perhaps gives the striker the best possible chance of catching Ross’s eye.
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