Sunderland's under-21 manager Andy Welsh has urged Mikael Mandron to shine out on loan.

Mandron joined Hartlepool United on a temporary basis last week, signing a two-month contract that keeps him at the club until early January, and he has already impressed, earning the man of the match award in their televised 3-1 win over Leyton Orient on Sunday.

However, the Frenchman has failed to make the most of loan spells in the past, and Welsh has encouraged him to do otherwise this time round and prove his worth with the League Two side.

Welsh urges Mandron to take chance

Speaking to the Hartlepool Mail this week, the under-21 coach explained that he sees this loan spell as "a great opportunity" for Mandron.

He has been in good form for the under-21s on Wearside, with three goals to his name already this season for the table-topping youngsters, but it is about "producing" this at senior level, Welsh says, with his man of the match debut on Sunday "an excellent start."

Despite earning this, Mandron did not find the back of the net in the game, and this is what the coach is looking for him to do in order to turn heads at the Stadium of Light towards Victoria Park.

"He has to push on and try and score some goals", Welsh continued, because this is "a big opportunity for him to try and stake a claim" at Sunderland, with manager Sam Allardyce having already allowed youngster Duncan Watmore to push into the first team.

Performing at senior level can see Mandron follow in the winger's footsteps Welsh believes, saying that, whilst "he has been wonderful" and "played very well" for him on Wearside, the "next step" is doing the same when given "regular league football".

Plenty of interest in young Black Cats

With Sunderland sat at the top of the Under 21 Premier League, it comes as little surprise that their players are attracting the attention of other clubs, with many in the Football League keen on taking them on loan.

Lynden Gooch is expected to be sent out to gain experience sooner rather than later, having racked up five goals and three assists after nine games this season, but Welsh says that the moves only materialise if they suit "individual players and the club".

He admitted that there has been "quite a bit of interest", but that it is down to them to "make sure" any offers are right for all parties, especially the player whose development they are trying to aid.

With Watmore having paved the way for more young players to break through into the first team, many will be keen to get out there now and show what they can do at senior level to increase their chances of emulating his success.

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About the author
Ameé Ruszkai
Head of the Sunderland, Swansea City and women football sections at VAVEL UK. Email: [email protected]