Sunderland boss Mowbray has his say on 'exceptional' Dan Neil

Neil, 21, burst onto the scene in League One last season. He played 39 times in the league, recording 10 goal contributions as he helped the Black Cats on their way to promotion to the Championship.

And after a slow start to this season, he's now finding his footing in the second tier. Neil has played 43 times in the league this season, scoring twice and assisting four along the way.

And last month, the South Shields-born midfielder penned a new deal which keeps him at the Stadium of Light until at least 2026.

Still at such a young age though, Mowbray recognised that Neil still has a long way to go in his career, but he's backing the boyhood Sunderland fan to go on to achieve huge things in the game.

Speaking to Sunderland Echo, Mowbray said of Neil:

"Dan is a young guy who tries to get better every single day. There are so many things he can still get better at, he's an exceptional human being and I pick him every single week. He knows he still has a lot of growth areas as well, he has to look forward more and play more forward passes, to see the pictures.

"But if there's one player who is going to get there one day through his work ethic... he's wanting to do extra after training and he's wanting to watch his clips to see his good moments and his not so good moments. That's Dan Neil, he wants to get better and our job as coaches is to make him a better player.

"I've got no doubt that he will be a really good footballer. The fact that we pick him every week tells you how much we trust him and how good his mentality is, it's just about refining his game I think."

Sunderland return to action v Watford this weekend. They welcome the Hornets for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday where Mowbray and Neil will be counting on a win to keep their play-off dreams alive.

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