Honey’s a pot of gold

JOHN O’SHEA believes Sunderland’s young guns can help them challenge for a swift return to the Premier League.

Local lad George Honeyman scored his first senior goal to knock Bury out of the Carabao Cup in midweek (above) and set up a second-round trip to Carlisle.

Honeyman, who has been with the Black Cats since the age of ten, also started and looked tasty against Derby.

The 22-year-old winger is one of five academy players looking to break into Simon Grayson’s team alongside Lynden Gooch, Ethan Robson, Joel Asoro and England Under-20 Elliot Embleton.

Skipper O’Shea said: “The manager spoke to us as soon as he came in about being as positive as we can be and that he would bring in the youngsters like George.

“He is a credit to himself and everyone associated with him because he has worked hard and grafted. George is getting his rewards because he is a genuine, honest lad with great ability.

”That is what we are going to have to do this season. There are going to be young lads coming in to help out and we have to keep the spirit going. And I think we have started OK.”

James Vaughan, Sunderland’s £900,000 summer buy from Bury, returns today to Norwich, where he played six games on loan seven years ago.

The striker, 29, said: “It’s been a while since I was in the Premier League but I haven’t given up on that dream of playing there again and scoring goals. My main aim is to help get this club back up.”