Sunderland youngster Benji Kimpioka has continued to impress whenever he has been given a chance in the first-team.
Kimpioka was once again handed a start for Sunderland in their Chekatrade Trophy match against Newcastle United last night and he got on the scoresheet.
The youngster rounded off the 4-0 victory in the latter stages to boost his chances of seeing more game time.
And Ross admits that Kimpioka is rather unusual, as he seems to thrive under the pressure of having to play for the senior side.
“He’s an interesting one for me because sometimes when I’ve watched him in U23 games he hasn’t had as big an impact as I would hope,” Ross said.
“He’s been a bit up and down, and yet every first-team game he has been involved in he has been really good – and that’s more important!”
Kimpioka is regarded as one of Sunderland’s most exciting prospects, but Ross has admitted recently that the youngster wants more game time.
Kimpioka has generally only been used as a covering option in League One, with most his chances coming in cup matches.
Sunderland look set to keep hold of the 17-year-old for the rest of the season rather than loan him out this month though.
Sunderland are now into the quarter-finals of the Chekatrade Trophy and just two wins away from Wembley.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
