Valuable minutes for Charlie Dinsdale as Sunderland’s U21 side ran out 4-0 winners over Bromley in the Premier League Cup on Monday night, helping the club secure top spot in the opening group stage of the competition.
The inclusion follows a strong season so far with the U18 squad, and reflects the trust the club’s coaching staff are placing in Charlie as he takes another step up the ladder at the Stadium of Light academy.
At his age, gradual integration into the higher age group is exactly the right environment to keep pushing his development — and the early returns at U21 level are highly encouraging.