Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Dion Sanderson is loving life at Sunderland with centre-back partners Tom Flanagan and Bailey Wright making a big impression on the highly rated youngster, speaking to the Sunderland Echo.
The 20-year-old is playing League One football for the first time this season.
Fortunately, he has a pair of experienced third-tier stoppers offering advice and guidance on and off the pitch.
Australia international Wright won promotion from the division with Preston North End in 2015, while Flanagan has made more than 100 appearances at League One level for Burton, Stevenage, MK Dons and the Black Cats.
Sanderson started alongside the battle-scarred duo in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Rochdale. It could be the first of many Sunderland appearances this season for the Midlands-born youngster.
And it’s fair to say he’s thrilled to have two reliable performers alongside him.
“They’re class,” he told the Echo.
“(Wright and Flanagan are) non-stop talking to me and help me a lot. Even off the pitch they help me a lot with all the information they give me. It’s a pleasure to be with them.
“The boys are so welcoming and I feel like I’ve known some of them for years. It’s a good energy, good vibes in the changing room, on and off the pitch, so I’ve settled in well.”
Inspired by Wright and Flanagan, Sunderland had kept five successive clean sheets in League One – but that fine defensive record has dropped off a cliff since Saturday.
That 2-2 draw with Rochdale came just three days after a 3-1 home defeat to Portsmouth.
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