LEE JOHNSON has praised Dan Neil’s ‘mental resilience’ after the youngster successfully established himself in Sunderland’s first team during the opening month of the season.

Neil is the only player to have started every one of the Black Cats’ matches in both League One and the Carabao Cup this term, and he claimed his first goal in a Sunderland shirt in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley.

This time last season, he had just made his debut in Sunderland’s Papa John’s Trophy win over Aston Villa Under-21s, but while both Johnson and his predecessor, Phil Parkinson, talked up the teenager’s talent, neither was prepared to offer him an extended run in the first team.

Johnson admits he did not quite feel Neil was ready for the senior stage last season, a conclusion that could easily have damaged the youngster’s morale.

However, Neil’s resolve never faltered, and having been issued with an individually-tailored training programme for the summer, the 19-year-old arrived for the start of pre-season training in the ideal position to take his career to the next level.

“I’m delighted, but first and foremost, I’m delighted for him,” said Johnson, ahead of tomorrow’s game at Fleetwood Town. “It can be difficult when you’re in that sort of grey zone. You’re almost too good for the Under-23s, but not quite a regular for the first team.

“That takes a lot of resilience and mental strength to come through, and obviously we’ve all got lives outside of football too. There’s a lot that can go on in any young player’s life.

“I think the off season was a good time for him – we set him some targets physically, and made sure he did the extra work. Him and Josh Hawkes were working together, and working very well. They both came back really well in pre-season. You could see that loading phase, that you can only really do in the off-season, had been worked on and worked on well.

“We always knew that Dan was a great footballing brain and a great technician, but tactically, a few times last year, I would say he made mistakes. That’s okay for a player of his age, but what you want them to do is bounce back quickly, learn from those mistakes and limit making the same ones again.

“That’s what he’s done, and I think that’s what’s allowed the trust to put him in the team and the starting XI on a regular basis. It’s been seamless if I’m honest with you, and very comfortable for him.”

Neil and his fellow youngster, Elliot Embleton, have established themselves as key components of Sunderland’s first-choice midfield this season.

Embleton, who clearly benefited from playing regular football while on loan with Blackpool last term, is only 22, while Neil does not turn 20 until the middle of December.

Clearly, there is a chance that inexperience could catch up with them at some stage this season, but having worked with them at close quarters over the last few months, Johnson does not expect their form to dip markedly provided they retain their current fitness standards and level of focus.

“It won’t always be plain sailing for them, but they’re certainly in credit, aren’t they,” he said. “I think that’s part of it. You’ve got to build those notches of trust, not just with me, but first and foremost with your team-mates and also with the fans as well.

“Young players that have come through the youth system will always get a little bit of grace from the stands, I think that’s just natural and a positive. That’s what we want – we want to encourage our own to come through and step into what is a big matchday and a big environment.

“I don’t feel like for any particular reason either of them will wane in form. I think they’re great footballers and I think they understand the tactical philosophy, so as long as they stay fit, and stay encouraged and positive and their training performances are good, then they’ll be okay.”