Youngster linked with Leeds United 'wants to play for Sunderland' and is forcing his way into Phil Parkinson's plans

We can say it was unexpected, as Dan Neil had to dash down the tunnel to get himself ready to enter the fray at the Gateshead International Stadium.

Elliot Embleton had suffered rotten luck, tightness in his thigh just as he was returning from almost a year away from the action.

His time will come.

Neil, without a number of his back, was given the chance to make his mark.

There was one overly ambitious early touch that drew a scolding from team-mates, but from there it was a performance of verve and clever touches, and even a crunching slide tackle when he was moved to wing-back late on.

Against Carlisle, he picked up where he left off. All that was missing was a goal, one effort turned over the bar and another off the inside of the post.

Neil, though, has been lively.

Competition for places in those forward areas is ferocious even without the presence of Embleton and Jack Diamond, but Phil Parkinson could not be clearer. Neil has put himself in the mix.

“He's a talent, we can all see that,” Parkinson said.

“He can cover ground but he receives on the ball on the turn and his weight of pass is more or less always spot on.

“He's put himself in contention and that's what you want.

“As a young player, you don't get the chance in football to feel your way in. You've got to take your chance and make an impact when you come to train with the first team.

“That's what he's done. We're really pleased with him and he's an extra player that we didn't think we had.”

There were fears earlier this summer that Neil could become the latest talented youngster to leave the Academy.

Leeds United, Newcastle United, Wolves and Celtic were all linked with a move for a player who has long been regarded one of the most accomplished talents in the club’s youth teams.

Parkinson admitted that had been clubs ‘talking’ about the midfielder, but says that Neil has made clear his desire to be a first-team player at Sunderland.

In the salary cap age, when every player under the age of 21 is worth just that little bit more, opportunity knocks.

“Dan is a player that, there's been clubs talking about Dan in the summer, but he's got a desire to play for Sunderland,” Parkinson said.

“If I was a supporter, that's what I want to hear.

“As a manager, it's certainly what I want to hear.

“He's a young player who just has a determination to get in and around the first team. At the moment, and there's a few more games to go before the start of the season, he's in amongst it.”

Clearly, Neil is one to watch closely when Harrogate Town visit the Stadium of Light this weekend.