Here are three academy players that Mike Dodds should promote to Sunderland’s first team for the rest of the season.
Sunderland now have six games remaining until fans can forget about this disastrous campaign and enjoy a more peaceful summer.
The Black Cats sit a staggering 13 points from the play-offs, as well as eleven points above the relegation zone.
The final stretch of games is pretty much pointless for Mike Dodds‘ side, and they are now just playing for pride.
Their current crop of first team regulars have really struggled in recent months, with their 5-1 hammering by Blackburn Rovers proving to be the cherry on top of a horrific 2024 so far.
Dodds will surely need to make some serious changes to the starting line-up as they host Bristol City this weekend, and perhaps it is a good opportunity to start gifting some of the youngsters an opportunity while they have nothing to play for.
As well as Chris Rigg, here are three other players who should be given a chance…
Tom Watson
Tom Watson made his senior debut for Sunderland this time last year, but has since been restricted to a few appearances on the bench.
However, the 17-year-old has been really impressing for the U21s and has racked up six goals and two assists in 12 appearances in all competitions this season.
Watson picked up an assist in their most recent win over Leicester City, in which he ‘really impressed’ journalist James Copley.
Mike Dodds has already revealed that he will look to ‘integrate him into the group’ in the final month of the campaign, so hopefully we see him get some game-time.
Oli Bainbridge
Oli Bainbridge is another name who has been really impressing among the youth ranks, netting six goals in 16 games from full-back for the U18s last season.
The defender is highly-rated at the Academy of Light and has already attracted interest from Everton, who are reportedly eyeing up a summer move.
Bainbridge could well force himself into the first team before that though, with James Copley recently claiming he could make his senior debut before the summer.
Harrison Jones
Harrison Jones is another youngster who has made his mark for the U21s this term, playing in various different positions across the midfield.
The teenager has scored six goal contributions in 14 starts in Premier League 2, including a brace and an assist in the win over Leicester.
Jones has also earned the captain’s armband in their previous six games, so will surely be on the way to earning his senior debut soon.