Sam Allradyce has said he believes Duncan Watmore can play a big role in Sunderland's 2015/2016 season.

The 21-year-old has made only five league appearances for the first team this campaign, scoring once in the 3-1 defeat to Norwich City, but his under-21 performances last year give the backroom staff and fans huge confidence that he can shine on the big stage.

Something New

Sunderland sit 19th in the league table and are in desperate need of a spark to kick-start their troubling season, and Allardyce believes Watmore can produce.

"I think he's got a little bit of something we haven't got here," Allardyce told Sunderland's official website.

His ability to find the back of the net was something the manager touched on in particular, adding that Watmore has already "scored a couple of goals" and so "hopefully if he gets to play more" then this will only help and lead to him "putting the ball in the back of the net" even more.

"He's made his full debut and hopefully can go on to better things from here," the manager continued, with Watmore having started his first ever Premier League game in Sunderland's home defeat to Southampton, in which he produced a promising performance, with Kevin Phillips full of praise. 

Relishing The Reserves

After his loan spell at Hibernian ended, Watmore enjoyed a fruitful season playing for Sunderland U21's. Four goals in a month meant he was awarded with the Player of the Month award for April. He was named Barclays Under 21 Player of the Season, after scoring 11 goals in 18 games.

Watmore has also represented England at Under 20 and Under 21 level this year, scoring two goals in seven games. Many have tipped him for an England call up in the next few years.

Run For Their Money

As Sunderland are lacking in goals, Watmore may be the man to start supplying the strikers with the ammunition to finish the job. But who will he replace if he gets the nod off Big Sam?

Well it leaves players like Sebastian Larsson and Jordi Gomez under pressure. These two attacking players can be fantastic on their day but have yet to produce this term. It also leaves Ola Toivonen under the spotlight. With the Swede heading into his thirties soon, and Dick Advocaat gone, his time in the starting line up may be shortlived.

The thought of Jermaine Lens down one wing and Watmore down the other, Sunderland fans may be able to get excited.

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