Lee Burge tips this Sunderland youngster for a 'bright future'

Promising Sunderland youngster Anthony Patterson has been tipped for a ‘bright future’ by the club’s No1 Lee Burge.
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Patterson, who signed a new one-year deal in the summer, made his debut for the club in the Papa John’s Trophy defeat to Fleetwood Town on Tuesday evening, one of several youngsters to be handed a start by manager Phil Parkinson.

Burge, speaking ahead of the visit of MK Dons to Wearside in League One on Saturday, has praised Patterson and has tipped him for a big future.

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“I’m buzzing for him, he’s really deserved his chance,” said Patterson.

Sunderland return to action against MK Dons this weekend.Sunderland return to action against MK Dons this weekend.
Sunderland return to action against MK Dons this weekend.

“Ever since I’ve come in, I’ve watched Patta and seen what a fantastic young ‘keeper he is.

"I think he’s really worked for the opportunity to make his debut.

“I’m really proud of him, I know how hard he works in every training session and he’s certainly got a bright future.”

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Patterson has previously had a loan spell with Northern League side Sunderland RCA.

Speaking last year, Patterson said he was ready for the step up to the first team squad, he said: “Game time is very important for goalkeepers especially, so I felt the loan move would give me an opportunity to play week in week out, and it did that.

“I just need to get my head down now and keep working hard in training, and if an opportunity comes my way in the first-team, I’ll be ready.”

Looking ahead to the visit of MK Dons, Burge said: “We have to play with the right intensity against them as an opponent, we have to keep our defensive shape and then hurt them going forward.”

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