Fringe players who could impress Neil in friendlies
Sunderland have arrived in Portugal as Alex Neil’s preseason preparations ramp up a notch.
TheBlackCatshaveplayed behind-closed-doors friendlies against North East clubs BlythSpartansandGateshead and now face games against Rangers and AS Roma in Albufeira.
So far this window, Sunderland have concluded the signingofDanielBallard,with Lynden Gooch, Bailey Wright and Patrick Roberts also committing.
But which fringe players could be handed the chance to impress head coach Neil during Sunderland’s pre-season trip?
NiallHuggins:TheWelshman joined Sunderland in the summer of last year, signing a four-year deal from Leeds United, a length of contract testamenttohowhighly-rated Hugginswasbysportingdirector Kristjaan Speakman.
Huggins is a good option to havetoo,giventhathecanplay in both full-back positions. Indeed, the youngster looked impressive when he did play under Lee Johnson before bad luck struck and he picked up an injury. The 21-year-old defender made just four appearances for the club and has not played since the end of September after suffering a back problem that was only supposed to keep him out until December but ended up
meaning Huggins missed the remainder of the campaign. Huggins looked impressive duringhisfourappearancesin redandwhite–whichallcame under ex-boss Johnson – beforetheinjury,butnowclearly has work to do to force his way into Neil’s plans.
Leon Dajaku (& Jack Diamond): The German youth international produced some moments of real quality over the course of Sunderland’s season whilst on loan. That dealwasmadepermanentthis summerowingtoacontractual clause. But the 21-year-old
faces serious competition. With Aiden McGeady’s departure, there is definitely a spot inAlexNeil’ssquadpotentially free for an attacker.
However, that spot could very well be as a backup now Sunderland have announced that they will retain the services of Patrick Roberts, with the ex-Manchester City man signing a two-year deal at the Academy of Light.
And should Jack Clarke and/or Nathan Broadhead resign, Dajaku could fall even further down the pecking order… and that is before any new left-field signings arrive. Jack Diamond is also back on Wearside for the time being alongsideElliotEmbletonand Alex Pritchard. Dajaku could certainly do with a strong preseason in order to make a lasting impression on his head coach but Diamond too will alsobemotivatedtostep-upup to the plate after another successful loan move with Harrogate Town.
Dan Neil: Is Dan Neil really a ‘fringe’ Sunderland player having played 39 times in League One last season? However, under Alex Neil, the midfielder found his game time reduced despite being so influential during the early part of last season under Lee Johnson.
Was this because he needed to be taken out of the firing line? Or is it because Neil doesn't rate him? We know Academy of Light graduate possesses brilliant qualities, notleastsuperbtechnicalability and an eye for a pass, but can he force his way into his manager’s plans against tough oppositioninRangersandRoma? It is certainly a fantastic opportunity for him to do so.