Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips has insisted that Callum Doyle should prove to be the right signing for the Black Cats to have made this summer.

Lee Johnson’s side moved to capture the talented defender on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City on Friday and the Black Cats have already seen promising signs from him in his debut appearance against Hearts. The 17-year-old appeared to be a player that has the potential to make the step-up to League One football with relative comfort.

The Black Cats were in need of some positive news on the transfer front in terms of their defence, with it looking likely that they will miss out on a move for Wolves’ Dion Sanderson.

Doyle might just prove to be another good loan signing from Sunderland after the success they had last term developing Sanderson’s game at the Stadium of Light.

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips insisted that Doyle is the right profile of player for Sunderland to be targeting this summer. While he also claimed that there should be excitement over what he can offer the Black Cats in their bid to secure promotion to the Championship.

He said: “There’s real reason to be excited about Doyle if he was a part of that Man City Under-23 side.

“He obviously has something about him. Hopefully he can step up to first team football with relative ease.

“It is encouraging that Sunderland are looking to younger players. I think it is time they gave younger players an opportunity. Hopefully he can get a good run of games and make a real impact.

“It is vital they get out of this league this season so hopefully he can help them get over the line.”

The verdict

You would have to agree with Phillips here, Doyle seems like a potentially excellent addition to the squad if his performance against Hearts was anything to go by.

The 17-year-old clearly has a lot of ability and potential and now Johnson needs to try and work with him on the training ground to improve areas of weakness ahead of the League One campaign.

Doyle looks like he has the composure and confidence to make the step-up to the third tier, but it is still going to be a major test for him and one that Manchester City feel that he needs.

League One football will be different from what he has experienced at academy level with City, but the pressure of playing for a big club with expectations of winning most weeks will be excellent for him.

Johnson has shown in the past with the likes of Tammy Abraham and Sanderson that he can be the right manager to get the best from young and talented Premier League loanees. You would not at all be surprised to see him once again do the same with Doyle next term.