Sunderland youngster Jack Bainbridge made his debut for Jack Ross’ side in midweek.
Bainbridge was selected to start for Sunderland in their Checkatrade Trophy tie with Morecambe on Tuesday, with Jack Ross eager to test out the youngster.
Bainbridge was tasked with playing alongside the more experience Loovens in the heart of the Black Cats’ defence.
And the prospect impressed Loovens, as he helped Sunderland to a 1-0 victory.
“We actually had a behind closed doors game last week and he [Bainbridge] played next to me, so we got to know each other a little bit,” Loovens said. “He’s a good player and a proper defender who likes to defend.”
Bainbridge’s showing for Sunderland has done his first-team chances no harm, although breaking into Ross’ starting line-up looks like a tough test.
Sunderland have won eight matches in a row, and Ross is unlikely to want to make wholesale changes to his side any time soon.
Jack Baldwin and Tom Flanagan are currently Sunderland’s first choices at centre-back, with the duo forming a very solid partnership.
The Black Cats are next in action at the weekend, when they take on Wycombe Wanderers at the Stadium of Light.
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