Phil Smith's player ratings from Sunderland under-23s defeat to Middlesbrough under-23s last nightPhil Smith's player ratings from Sunderland under-23s defeat to Middlesbrough under-23s last night
Phil Smith's player ratings from Sunderland under-23s defeat to Middlesbrough under-23s last night

Phil Smith's player ratings: Who shone and who struggled as Sunderland U23s fell to defeat against Middlesbrough U23s?

Sunderland’s under-23s took on Middlesbrough under-23s in a miniature Wear-Tees derby at Hetton yesterday – with Jack Ross in attendance to cast an eye over new signings Joel Lynch and Laurens De Bock.

A thrilling Premier League 2 Division 2 fixture finished 3-2 to the visitors with boss Jonathan Woodgate also in attendance , but how did Sunderland’s youngsters and new signings get on? Scroll down and click through the pages to see how the Black Cats’ development squad rated.