Future looks bright for starlets are thrown to the Wolves

SUNDERLAND’S academy products took centre stage as the Black Cats rounded off a miserable relegation season with a magnificent 3-0 victory over champions Wolves.

The Black Cats ended the game with six youngsters on the field who have come through the ranks, starters Joel Asoro, Ethan Robson and debutant Luke Molyneux joined by substitutes Elliot Embleton and debutants Denver Hume and Bali Mumba.

Goals from loanees Ovie Ejaria and Ashley Fletcher, and one from in-form Paddy McNair, made it a day to remember for the youngsters - and also for owner-in-waiting Stewart Donald, who was watching from the stands.

Caretaker-manager Robbie Stockdale said: “It is a proud moment for the club, there is a lot of hard work which goes in. There would have been more involved if they were fit.

“Although that is a really good thing for the club, the senior players have also been fantastic - their attitude, the environment they put together for the young players coming through.

“For example John O’Shea, he epitomises what a professional footballer should be.

“He is brilliant around the training ground, on the pitch he is organising.

“The mix of the senior players and the young players was really goody.”

Mumba replaced O’Shea for the final few minutes and took the captain’s armband from the Irishman, making the 16-year-old Sunderland’s youngest-ever skipper.

Stockdale added: “It is typical of John he did that.

“Bali has not taken it off yet, he is walking around thinking he is captain, fining players and everything in there!”