Phillips concerned about club’s inability to retain top prospects

KEVIN Phillips admits he is growing concerned about Sunderland’s academy as top prospects continue to leave the club.

Cole Kiernan has become the latest player to depart the club as the hotlytipped striker joined Middlesbrough.

The Academy of Light has lost top youth talents to bigger clubs over recent years such as Sam Greenwood to Arsenal and Logan Pye leaving for Manchester United.

Employment law forbids the Black Cats from contracting players under the age of 17 but academy manager Paul Reid left his position last week after two years, having come under increased criticism for being unable to convince so many to stay and push for first team football on Wearside.

On top of that, the club are set to sell one of the most exciting talents of recent years in Bali Mumba, Norwich paying a fee widely regarded well below his potential future value. Phillips believes Sunderland should make far better use of their academy and create a clear pathway to the first team to stop so many leaving.

The Black Cats legend said: “It is a big concern because it is difficult right now to be able to afford to go out and buy players.

“They have talented players so you do not want to see that happen.

“You want to see the work their way up to the first team and be given their chance.

“It is a concern and I hope they appoint someone who gets control of it and stops these players going.

“The scouting network at academy level has been good. It is just the first team area which has not been.

“For me it is a really important area of the club and they need to blood their youth and bring them through to the first team.”