Former Everton goalkeeper Jack McIntyre played 90 minutes for Sunderland U23s yesterday, during a 4-3 defeat to Fulham, as confirmed by James Hunter of the Chronicle on Twitter.

The 18-year-old shot-stopper was released by Everton at the end of last season, but he is now on trial with The Black Cats.

Starting his youth career within the academy at Manchester City, McIntyre made the short move west to join Everton aged 14.

McIntyre was unable to secure a further deal after his scholarship with The Toffees ended this summer, and now the Macclesfield-born goalkeeper is on the hunt for new employers with the 2021/22 campaign already underway.

A young goalkeeper is already a position that the promotion-chasing League One club have filled this summer, with Sunderland striking a deal for Manchester United's Jacob Carney.

However, the departure of Remi Matthews means that Carney could be battling it out with Anthony Patterson for back-up responsibilities to Lee Burge.

The verdict

This would be a shrewd bit of business from The Black Cats if a move is made. Carney is now seemingly in and around the first-team set up, meaning a move for McIntyre might be favoured.

This would give McIntyre at least a couple of years to continue his progression with the club's youth set up, before being put in contention for first-team advancement.

As well as securing signings for the here and now, it is also vitally important to ensure that the club have talent being produced through the academy, and this is the type of signing, should it be completed, that will go towards that notion.