Sunderland gem Chris Rigg has hailed one fellow academy star after his introduction to the side.
The Black Cats academy has introduced some top talents to the side in recent years, from the likes of Jordan Henderson, to the midfield partnership of Chris Rigg and Dan Neil today.
The potential in-and-around the squad is what sets Sunderland apart from the rest and makes them a club to keep an eye on for the future with their abundance of talent waiting in the wings.
Rigg indeed is one that has come on leaps and bounds under French boss Regis Le Bris, really staking his claim for a permanent spot in the starting 11, and he has been one of the first to praise one fellow youngster for his recent inclusion in the side.
Sunderland star hails Tommy Watson for form prior to injury woes
18-year-old winger Tommy Watson notched his first appearance for Le Bris’ side in the 2-1 away defeat to Watford, being handed just five minutes to make a difference.
Fast forward just over a month, Watson had found himself to be a regular in the Sunderland side amid the injury woes for Romaine Mundle.
It was a slow start for Watson, who didn’t adjust to the level instantly, however, a brilliantly-taken brace to send the Black Cats to a 2-1 win against Stoke City really showed just what he is capable of before his untimely injury against Bristol City.
Rigg has hailed his fellow academy graduate, where, per Sunderland on X, he said: “I think the academy is really important for us, as you can see.
“Obviously Tommy [Watson] has shown what he could do the other day, and I’m gutted for him really because of his injury.”
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Regis Le Bris must challenge Tommy Watson to hit pre-injury levels on his return
Watson currently finds himself out on the sidelines following the injury he picked up in the 1-1 draw against Bristol City, and it came at a very difficult time for the youngster, who was really in the midst of a rich vein of form.
Le Bris will no doubt be disappointed, especially with the wide depth being so lacklustre following his injury, but it shouldn’t stop the Frenchman from continuing the push the 18-year-old to meet his potential.
There was a sense of Le Bris keeping Watson’s feet on the ground after the 2-1 Stoke win, where he challenged the 18-year-old to put in them performances on a consistent basis, snd there is no reason why he shouldn’t be challenged to meet that objective once he comes back from injury.