Jack Maskell is on trial at Sunderland from non-league outfit Horden Community Welfare, the club’s youth coach Andy Colledge has confirmed on Facebook.
The Black Cats have certainly been casting their net far and wide in search of talented, promising youngsters in recent months.
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Connor Johnson has appeared for Elliot Dickman’s U23 side of late, while Hebburn Town striker Cedwyn Scott seems to be in the crosshairs of Sunderland and bitter rivals Newcastle United (Shields Gazette).
Scott, therefore, is hardly the only non-league hot shot on the Black Cats’ radar.
According to Colledge, Maskell has caught Sunderland’s eye and has been offered an eight-week trial.
“Great news for young Jack,” the Horden youth coach writes.
“I’ve said for the last two seasons Jack has a chance to break into the pro game. A big strong powerful player with great technical ability, he’s very effective in both boxes, brave as a lion and prepared to get hurt.
“He’s really kicked on this season.
“I’ve said it before and will say it again, this kid will go very far in the game. But let’s just take it one step at a time.”
Colledge adds Sunderland aren’t the only League One club to show an interest but Phil Parkinson’s side have an obvious advantage given the Stadium of Light is just 14 miles north of Maskell’s Horden home.
Sunderland are currently sixth in League One, five points off top spot but with a game in hand.
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