Sunderland can save millions by delving into their Academy of Light, the place that produced Champions League winner, Jordan Henderson.

The Black Cats have another promising central midfielder on their hands in 19-year-old starlet, Harrison Sohna, though it is worth noting that he has not come through all steps of the youth set-up, having switched last year from Aston Villa U23s.

Having featured in just two goals and three assists along the way - this, despite functioning as a defensive midfielder for seven games.

His performances for the Black Cats' reserve side have paved the way for opportunities to play in the first team. Though his three appearances for the senior side have all come under former boss Lee Johnson in the EFL Trophy, so he is yet to make his professional league debut, and yet to impress Alex Neil who will surely be looking to embed the youngster into the first team come next season.

Over the last year, Sohna has registered some stats that demonstrate why he deserves a chance to play a higher level of football.

His average of 58.7 touches, 44 accurate passes and 0.7 key passes better that of Corry Evans who averages 45.5 touches, 28.3 accurate passes and 0.3 key passes per game - with the 31-year-old featuring 33 times for the Black Cats in the standard League One season, including two additional appearances in the League One play-offs.

Right now is a tricky time to hand an inexperienced youngster a league debut in what is such an important game in the season-defining play-off final on the 21st May. Though, it would not hurt to let Sohna train with the first team from now and across pre-season to see how he fairs in the level above.

His stats are certainly promising and his playstyle is what has got him noticed, with his forward-thinking approach and ability to make something happen echoed by Josh Bunting: "Harrison Sohna against his former club with the goal, really like when he gets on the ball, always thinking forward and opens up trying to make something happen."

With that in mind, he's certainly one to watch in the northeast.

In other news: Sunderland make "an enquiry" to sign highly-rated journeyman, Neil surely ecstatic