Sunderland youngsters Jordan Pickford and Duncan Watmore have been called up to the England U21 national team.
Shot-stopper Pickford, 21, has impressed in his loan spell at Preston North End, keeping nine clean sheets in his eighteen appearances so far this season – five of those consecutively.
Pickford has made three appearances so far for the U21 team; with manager Gareth Southgate currently regarding the Washington-born goalie as first choice.
Indeed, his performances this season have led to reported interest from the Black Cats’ Premier League rivals; Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Aston Villa just some of the names targetting Pickford.
Watmore, also 21, has begun to make the breakthrough into the first team this season – making five substitute appearances so far and scoring twice. He is firmly in Sam Allardyce’s plans for the future, with the Sunderland manager determined to tie down the former Altrincham man to a new contract.
Excluding a largely anonymous appearance against Spurs, Watmore’s pace and passion has been a brilliant sight for Sunderland supporters in a season of so many lows.
Good luck lads! Do us proud!
