Sunderland will hand new signing Frederik Alves his competitive debut tomorrow against Blackpool in the Carabao Cup, as reported by Chronicle Live.

The 21-year-old joined The Black Cats on a season-long loan deal earlier this month and has appeared on the bench during the club's last two league matches.

The new Sunderland signing, only joined his parent club in December 2020, joining The Hammers on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

Alves arrived in East London from Silkeborg in the Danish Superliga, after the defender featured 47 times in three professional years with the club, after spending a year in the youth set up with Brazilian club Coritiba.

Alves featured regularly for West Ham's U23s during their Premier League 2 campaign in the second half of last season and was named on the bench 11 times at first-team level.

Lee Johnson has confirmed Chronicle Live that Alves will play a part tomorrow, with Bailey Wright also expected to play.

The verdict

Alves has gained a lot of experience in a very short amount of time. He has played in Denmark's top division, played U23 football at a very high level in England, and has progressed through the youth set up at a Brazilian club.

Now, the young defender is tasked with impressing at a club with very high expectations.

Alves will bring composure and athleticism to Sunderland's back-line, and whilst still only being 21 years of age, he has the physicality to compete at this level.

Sunderland face Championship club Blackpool tomorrow, so it will be interesting to see how he fares up against higher-level opposition, should Neil Critchley select a strong starting line up.