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Sunderland U21s host Athletic Club in the Premier League International Cup as Graeme Murty’s side chase their first win
Sunderland U21s host Athletic Club at the Stadium of Light tonight in their second Premier League International Cup fixture. Graeme Murty’s side sit third in Group D after opening with a 2-2 draw against Anderlecht, while the visitors remain bottom after back-to-back defeats.
Blondy Nna Noukeu starts in goal, replacing Ben Metcalf from the 4-2 win over Ipswich Town in Premier League 2. Dennis Cirkin continues his comeback at left-back after making his first appearance since last May’s play-off final against the Tractor Boys in the Premier League 2 last week, while Luke O’Nien keeps his place in Murty’s European line-up for a second consecutive outing after featuring in Belgium.
Former club captain Dan Neil also starts for the young Black Cats as he looks to maintain sharpness ahead of a busy festive schedule. With AFCON approaching, Habib Diarra sidelined and both Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki one booking away from suspension, Neil could yet play an important role for the first team in the coming weeks.
Neil captained the Black Cats to promotion last season, but was replaced in midfield after the arrival of former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen man Xhaka. So far this campaign, Neil has featured twice from the bench in the Premier League and also started the Carabao Cup loss to Huddersfield Town. Ben Middlemas partners Neil, who recently celebrated 200 senior appearances for Sunderland in all competitions, in midfield.
Sunderland also opted to start Ben Kindon alongside O’Nien in central defence, with Jenson Jones at right-back. Murty fielded a midfield including Neil, Middlemas and Jak Whittaker with Felix Scott, Timur Tutierov and Jake Waters as his front line. Waters, making his first start since returning from two serious ACL injuries, scored off the bench last time out against Ipswich Town
After tonight’s clash, Sunderland continue their European campaign against Sporting Lisbon on November 20 before facing Borussia Dortmund on January 21. Domestically, Murty’s men take on Bromley (December 1), Norwich City (December 12) and Colchester United (December 22) in the Premier League Cup.
What has Graeme Murty said about the PL International Cup?
The Black Cats narrowly missed out on qualifying for the knockout stages in 2024-25 after results elsewhere went against them, despite producing a strong campaign filled with competitive performances and notable development milestones.
When asked about his goals for this year’s tournament, Murty was clear that the focus is on both growth and success. “I think when you talk to anyone who's in professional sport, they want to win. I want to win. I'm desperate to win. I'm desperate for our young players to do really well,” he said.
“I think you know me well enough to know that if we can get more opportunities for our young players to experience something like this, I think it would be a fantastic thing. The further we can progress in lots of different competitions, the better for them. The more time we get to actually work with them.”
Murty added that the competition provides a unique platform for his players to perform on a big stage – one that replicates the challenges of senior football. “But I want to be greedy. I want to make sure that our players maximise this opportunity and get as many more opportunities as possible to come and perform, because who wouldn't want to play here? Look at the place. It's incredible.”
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The Sunderland boss was also quick to highlight the strength of their opposition in the group stage, with several top European academies heading to Wearside in the coming months. “Great, isn’t it? And the stature of the opposition we've got coming up. We've got Sporting, we've got Bilbao, we've got Dortmund coming. The lads are already rubbing their hands together. And rightly so. Bilbao last season was a great occasion.”
Murty added after the game at the Stadium of Light: “But we would love for our young players’ further development, the ability to play in front of the crowd because that adds a psychological component, I think that sometimes is missing in youth football.”
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