Ex-Newcastle United goalkeeper Nathan Harker teams-up with Sunderland for second trial spell

The Echo understands that Harker - who spent time training with the Black Cats during the 2019/20 campaign - was the goalkeeper named on the bench for the under-23 game against Leeds United this afternoon.

Harker was released by Newcastle in the summer of 2020 and had spent the early weeks of the year on trial with Sunderland having been told his future lay away from St James's Park.

And having yet to find a club after leaving the Premier League outfit, Harker is now back on trial at the Academy of Light.

The 22-year-old wasn't the only trialist included in the squad against Leeds, with striker Alfie Cerruli handed a start.

The former Braintree man, who also spent time with Colchester United, turned out for Sunderland's second string late last year and was given another opportunity at Thorp Arch.

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