McAllister explains Neil sub after youngster catches eye in Cats win

Jamie McAllister says the decision to remove Dan Neil at half-time during Sunderland's 2-0 Papa John's Trophy win was 'precautionary'.

Neil, who could go out on loan this month, was in impressive form at the Stadium of Light, catching the eye with some superb passing from deep in midfield.

The 19-year-old looked to be limping in the final minutes of the half, and McAllister is hopeful that he has not sustained any serious injury.

"I thought he was really starting to control the game, alongside Josh Scowen in there are I thought they were dominating the midfield," McAllister said.

"He played some lovely passes forward.

"He'd been clipped on the ankle and was limping a little bit towards the end of the half, and when he came in at the break it had just swollen up.

"It was just a precaution, we didn't want to risk it.

"You can see what a good player he is, a really good young talent.

"He looked really comfortable."

League Two promotionchasing Forest Green and Carlisle United have been credited with an interest in Neil, as Johnson weighs up what is the best shortterm decision for one of the brightest prospects in the Black Cats academy.

This, though, was another night that underlined his long-term promise for Sunderland.

"It's the ones like Dan Neil who you look at, who I really like, but you look at his chances which might be limited between now and the end of the season and that becomes a possibility," Johnson said last week.

"Only for our long-term future, and his, because he's a player I like."

McAllister also allayed any fears that Jordan Willis had suffered an injury setback on his return.

Willis was a commanding figure throughout the win, but looked uncomfortable in the moments before he was replaced by Oliver Younger.

"I thought he was excellent," McAllister said.

"He and Bailey [Wright] were first to everything and tidied up really well.

"They were always picking up second balls and starting the attacks.

"I thought he was really comfortable in the game.

"He said he just felt a little bit of cramp in his right calf, so we were just looking after him."