League Two club reveal approach for Sunderland youngster Jack Diamond

Diamond netted the fifth and final goal in the Black Cats’ 5-2 win against the Cumbrians in the EFL Trophy, but things could have been different had Beech’s approach yielded a different response.

The Carlisle manager made his move for the 20-year-old shortly after the two sides faced-off in pre-season, but Phil Parkinson has long-maintained that Diamond will remain at the Stadium of Light this season.

That left Beech to watch on in awe as the Gateshead-born youngster put in a fine display on Tuesday evening.

Speaking to the News & Star, Beech said: “When Brennan Dickenson pulled his hamstring at Sunderland in pre-season, I rang their manager Phil Parkinson to thank him for the pre-season game, and enquired about Diamond, who’d been at Harrogate.

“You could see the other day the difference in that he’s had that extra 12 months. I know he’s older, but he’s been out, on loan, done really well for Harrogate to help them get promoted, then he scores that last goal against Lewi Bell trying to track him.

“You could see in Diamond, his resolute, consistent way he plays. Jack Armer did brilliant against him, he didn’t have it his own way at all, then when we took risk to try and get the equaliser [at 4-3] there was a gap on the far side which Lewi had to cover, and Diamond took advantage.”

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