SUNDERLAND edged a step closer to a Wembley appearance by sealing a place in the last-32 of the Checkatrade Trophy last night, and assistant manager James Fowler thinks the experience should prove just perfect for a number of the club’s young guns.

While Josh Maja, himself only 19, hit the stoppage-time winner to seal top spot in their qualifying group, the Black Cats handed four full debuts to Jack Diamond, Jake Hackett, Jack Bainbridge and Jordan Hunter.

There were also second half substitute appearances for 16-year-olds Lee Connelly and Daniel Neil, highlighting how strong manager Jack Ross feels the emerging youngsters are on Wearside.

Fowler said: “The pleasing thing is we won the game, because we are always looking to progress our young players. The competitive nature of the game always helps.

“In terms of first team environment, the need to win the game, it has been a great experience.

"We had a couple of 16-year-olds in there, 18, 20s. They have all done really well and it’s credit to the academy and what the coaches with Elliot Dickman and the others are doing with them.

“It’s a plus for us, right across the board all the young lads did themselves proud.

“They have come in and taken their chance to show they have the ability to play at this level.”

In winning their group Sunderland will now have a home tie. They’ll be at home to one of four options - Walsall, Oldham, Lincoln or one of Doncaster/Grimsby/Notts County.

Regardless of who they face the bigger picture is that Sunderland have now won eight games in a row in all competitions to continue the momentum.

It is also heartening that leading scorer Maja found the net again, for the first time since he scored at Bradford prior to him being niggled by an ankle injury.

Fowler said: “Josh does what he does, score goals and it’s pleasing to get the win in the end. Josh is all about scoring goals, we are working hard in training to get him to do the other aspects.

“He is only 19, he does the hardest part of the game in many respects relatively well and it will keep him bubbling along and keep his confidence going.

“Goalscorers always want to continue the un of scoring goals, there’s good competition with Jerome Sinclair and Charlie Wyke will be back soon. We are just pleased he is playing and scoring goals.”

Sunderland have confirmed that St Mirren goalkeeper Craig Samson is set to retire from playing to take up a post as goalkeeper coach on Ross’ backroom team following the departure of Jimmy Walker to Ipswich.

Fowler said: “He is someone we worked with at St Mirren, it’s a big step for him to retire. I played with him at Kilmarnock and we know his character, he will benefit the keepers we have here and he should come in this week or early next week.”