Sunderland are prepared to let up to four of their young stars leave on loan before the transfer window shuts, as reported by the Sunderland Echo.

The Black Cats have a thriving academy set up that has produced a number of first team players over the last few years. George Honeyman, Lynden Gooch, Denver Hume and Josh Maja have all rolled off the production line to either earn big moves or break into the first team setup.

Last season, Elliot Embleton enjoyed a fruitful spell with Grimsby Town which has led to him securing a new contract and squad place, with a similar route expected for at least four of Elliott Dickman's Under 23 squad.

“We’ve got our eyes on maybe three, four lads to go and experience a loan at whatever level that may be,” Dickman admitted.

“They’re ready. They’re ready for that challenge and that’s something that we wouldn’t want to stop. We want to help that development and see those players going into a different environment and learning the game."

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The Black Cats may even look to extend that number when the winter window opens and first team chances in cup competitions become limited.

“There’s three or four definites that we want to go out on loan now, but by the time we get to Christmas there could be a few more additions to that,” added the Under 23 boss.

Embleton wasn't the only prospect to make a loan move last season, Jack Diamond dropped into the National League North and it's an experience that his coach feels was beneficial.

"Jack Diamond went to Spennymoor last season and benefited from playing a number of games and the fact it was a different environment with a different gameplan.

“At the time, Spennymoor were fighting to be in the play-offs and that adds a little bit of different pressure for someone like Jack to get his head around."

The Verdict

You have to admire the Sunderland youth setup. Perhaps, as a consequence of them being in League One, opportunities seem to be more plentiful, but they've certainly reaped the rewards of their academy in recent seasons.

Even players who have left the club are doing well, Andrew Nelson has seven goals in 20 outings for Dundee since he joined them in January.

It makes sense that they want to expand on the number in the winter as well; at the moment the young players might get a first team run out in the EFL Trophy, but that won't be the case if the Black Cats don't advance beyond the group stages and, even if they do, they're likely to field a stronger side.

The development of the players is clearly at the forefront of everything Elliot Dickman and his coaches do and that's to be admired, whatever is happening on the field with the first team.