New crop of youngsters still have lot to learn – Dickman

Elliott Dickman believes his current Sunderland Under-23 side still have a lot of learning to do before they can step up into the first team.

Last season the likes of Bali Mumba, Elliot Embleton and Luke Molyneux all used the under-23s as a stepping stone to break into the senior squad this summer.

But, Dickman isn’t expecting any more of his players to be fast tracked into Jack Ross’ squad just yet.

“It’s not easy to play for the first team at any level, so the lads that are with the first team at the minute it’s great for them,” said Dickman following Sunderland’s 2-1 defeat to Stoke in their Premier League 2, Division 2, opener. “I think the group that are with us at this moment in time have still got a lot to learn, have got a lot of developing to do. “Some have had an opportunity with the first team, whether it’s training or whether it’s actually with them so that experience is obviously just as good as being around them on a matchday.

“From our point of view these young lads have still got a lot to learn and hopefully they can step up.

“It might be a year it might be two years but they’ve shown signs of their progression and they’ve got to continue to do that.”

Sunderland’s youngsters, relegated from the top-flight last season, looked to be heading towards a winning start after Jake Hackett’s first-half opener.

However, Stoke dominated possession after the break and managed to turn the match around, courtesy of goals from Oliver Shenton and Tyrese Campbell in the final 17 minutes.

Sunderland Ladies have been handed a trip to Morecambe in the opening round, known as the determining round, of the FA Women’s National League Cup.

The tie against the Shrimps – who play a tier below the Black Cats – will take place on 2 September at Lancaster & Morecambe College.