Sunderland are keeping tabs on former Middlesbrough youngster Junior Mondal.

According to HITC, the League One club and divisional rivals Scunthorpe United are both keeping an eye on the attacker.

Mondal, 21, is currently playing in the Evo-Stik Premier North with Whitby Town since his release from Middlesbrough back in the summer of 2017.

Injuries curtailed his career at the Riverside, having left the club without making a senior appearance but with his current form in non-league, a number of EFL sides have been alerted.

After leaving the Championship club, Mondal had a trial with Aberdeen, which had an unsuccessful outcome, but he has since forged a burgeoning reputation with the Evo-Stik outfit. 

Mondal scored his first goal of the season in the 3-0 win over Matlock Town six days ago. 

Whitby Town currently sit seventh in the Premier division after six matches.

The Verdict

Junior Mondal’s release from Middlesbrough was a surprise, but he has since built his career up again in the non-league scene.

With several EFL sides keeping an eye on the attacker, there is scope to get a move back to the Football League, should his form continue.

It is refreshing Sunderland looking at local talent and using the north-east proving ground as an avenue to recruit to the football club.

The years in the Premier League stifled that with foreign imports, but with a double relegation, the club needed a change, and this is a step in the right direction.

This is one to keep an eye out for come January.