Sunderland AFC briefing: Asamoah Gyan launches own airline, attacking threat hailed, youngster catches eye

The striker joined Sunderland from Rennes for £13million back in 2010 and spent two years on Wearside before moving to UAE club Al Ain in 2012.

The 31-year-old Ghana international, currently playing for Turkish club Kayserispor, is looking to expand his interests outside of football with the launch of a new airline that will bear his nickname Baby Jet.

It is understood the airline will begin by operating cargo planes.

Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo, speaking at the 2017 African Airshow in Ghana, said: "I've been reliably informed that the captain of our senior national football team, Asamoah Gyan has obtained an air carrier licence.

"He is working feverishly to establish an airline, obviously called Baby Jet Airlines.

"I want to call on other Ghanaians both at home and abroad to invest in the rapidly growing aviation sector."

Simon Grayson on Sunderland's attacking threat:

Sunderland host Bristol City on Saturday, with manager Simon Grayson admitting he is under pressure to start producing wins.

The Black Cats are second bottom heading into the Championship game but Grayson remains confident the club's fortunes will soon turn.

Part of Grayson’s confidence comes from the return of Lewis Grabban and Duncan Watmore, giving him arguably the best attacking options he has had this season.

Both were influential at Griffin Park, Grabban scoring twice.

Grayson said: "There is [more pace in the team]. You want creative players and you want players who will give the opposition a really tough time.

"We’ve scored six goals in the last three games which is a positive, but the other side of it is that we need to sort things out at the other end of the pitch.

"At least if you are scoring goals, you have a chance of winning games.

"We have players who can go and win games for us, which is a key part.

"You’re being positive in your approach which is important from the players’ point of view, and from my perspective."

Promising youngster catches the eye:

Elliott Dickman has challenged promising Sunderland winger Benji Kimpioka to build on his hat-trick for the Under-23s.

The 17-year-old Swedish winger bagged the matchball in the 5-0 win over mid-table Wearside League club Hartlepool in the Durham Challenge Cup tie at Hetton.

Under-23 coach Dickman said: "The under-18s staff, Mark Atkinson and Michael Proctor, spoke a lot about Benji and certain aspects of his game.

"To be fair to him he did that. He made good decisions in possession, he had some shots and scored three good goals.

"He has been a little bit guilty of not doing that but he has taken on board the information he has been given by the staff and he has got to keep building on that now."

Read the full story here: