Cats youngsters who could impress Neil in pre-season
Sunderland returned to preseason on Wednesday, with the new Championship campaign just five weeks away.
The players will undergo the usual fitness testing, before stepping up their football work ahead of the first behind closed-doors friendlies at the Academy of Light a week on Saturday.
Head coach Alex Neil has a relatively strong core of seniorplayers to work with, but as it stands there are some clear gaps. The Black Cats are yet to recruit any new players, and are still in talks over new deals for some of last season' s squad.
As such, there may well be some opportunities for some of the club's best academy talent to step in and aid the transition process as Neil's squad for the campaign comes together.
So who might well get the chance? We run through some of the likeliest candidates here…
JACOB CARNEY
Carney signed a two-year deal and despite initially picking up an injury, went on to play the majority of the U23s fixtures.
He is expected to join Scottish Championship side Queen's Park on loan this season in search of valuable senior experience, but after Lee Burge and Thor ben H off mann' s departure she may initially be required on Wear side for a short spell.
ADAM RICHARDSON
Sunderland beat off competition from some of the Premier League's biggest clubs to secure Richardson to his first professional deal two years ago, and he has continued to make steady progress since then, including international youth honours and a place on the bench in some Papa John' s Trophy fixtures.
The opportunity could be there in pre-season to provide some cover for Patterson while recruitment continues, particularly if Carney does go on loan in Scotland at some stage.
CAMERON JESSUP
Signed from Crystal Palace, Jess up is a centre half who has plenty of pace and is comfortable in possession.
With Bailey Wright still
to agree a new deal and likely resting after international duty, Neil is likely to need some defenders to step up in the early stages of training.
ZAK JOHNSON
Johnson was successfully introduced to the U 23 side last season, a scholar with plenty of height and who is comfortable playing at full back or in the heart of defence.
During international breaks towards the end of last season he trained with Neil's senior group, which gives an indication of his progress.
ELLIS TAYLOR
Taylor has a superb preseason last time out, making a major impression and pushing himself firmly into the first-team reckoning.
His form dipped a touch after that demanding initial schedule, and there were also some injury issues along the way.
But he finished the season back fully fit and performing strongly for the U23s, which could now give him a proper opportunity to impress Neil. Time is on his side and he has a lot of quality.
ETHAN KACHOSA
K ac hos a signed from Leeds United last summer and has a blistering turn of pace. He is comfortable in any position down the flanks, particularly on the right side where he is strongest.
Neil does have options there but while Lyn den Gooch and Patrick Roberts weigh up their futures, they are relatively threadbare.
HARRISON SOHNA
The 19-year-old has made a good impression both in the U 23 side and in his appearance sin the Papa John's Trophy, particularly in possession where has proven to be neat and effective.
Central midfield is one position where Alex Neil has a strong cohort of established options from day one, so opportunities may be limited.
But Sohna is one of those you would expect to step up if they materialise. With one year left on his deal, he will be eager to push for first-team football this season, potentially
on loan.
THOMAS SCOTT
Like Sohna, Scott is now an established member of the U 23 side who plays in mid field and whose primary strength is his use of possession.
It's an area where competition will be significant even in the early stage soft he summer preparation.
CADEN KELLY
A talented midfielder and an excellent set-piece taker, 18-year-old Kelly impressed last year by stepping up and playing regularly for the U23 side.
HARRY GARDINER
Gardiner recently signed his first professional contract after initially joining the club from South Shields.
A centre forward, there could be an opportunity in training at the every least along the way.
Ross Stewart is currently the only senior striker on the books, and he has had little rest after international duty.
JACK DIAMOND
This presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Diamond.
He signed a new long-term deal in 2021 and went on to have a solid pre-season campaign, but with Leon Dajaku's arrival Sunderland decided that it was best to protect his development by seeking a second loan at Harrogate Town.
That proved to be a major success, with the winger producing a strong return in terms of both goals and assists. Sunderland will look to recruit in the wide areas, but as it stands Patrick Roberts is yet to agree a new deal, Lynden Gooch likewise, and it is not clear whether or not Jack Clarke will return from Tottenham Hotspur.
There is also interest in AFC Wimbledon' s Jack Ru do ni, a midfielder who has played regularly off the flanks.
So the 22-year-old Diamond is perhaps producing something of a crossroads in his Sunderland career, and this is a big chance to prove to Neil that he should stay with the senior group and feature regularly.