FORMER Sunderland midfielder Grant Leadbitter believes the hard work is just starting for Black Cats youngster Dan Neil.

The South Shields-born midfielder has been one of the highlights of a mixed season at the Stadium of Light after producing a number of impressive performances in his first full campaign in the senior set-up.

Neil, who turned 20 on Tuesday, has made 15 starts in League One so far this season and has also featured in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Papa John’s Trophy after impressing Black Cats boss Lee Johnson during pre-season.

Leadbitter witnessed the youngster’s breakthrough into the senior ranks last year in his final season with Sunderland, and the now-retired North-Easterner admits he was impressed with Neil’s ability levels.

However, the former Black Cats star also warned that tougher tests lie ahead as the games start to pile up over the rest of the season.

He told The Northern Echo: “I have always said, as a young player, Dan has done really well.

“But he’s only 15 or 20 games into his career and for me, from my experience, you run on adrenaline as a young player.

“Your first ten or 15 games become easy, it’s after that where the challenges come.

“Dan is a very good technical player, but it’s the mentality now.

“When the results aren’t going your way, as a young player, you have to step up.

“I am sure Dan will do that, but there is no doubt he will have to dig in over the coming weeks and months.”

Leadbitter was speaking at an event on Wearside as local grassroots club Hylton CW were honoured for winning a competition run by the EFL and major partner, Your Move, that will see 100 kits donated to grassroots clubs around the country.

The club’s Under-10s side received a new set of 14 match kits after being selected as one of the winners of the national competition.

Leadbitter was a surprise guest, and spent time with players and coaches at Downhill Sports Hub to mark the award.

The former favourite at both Sunderland and Middlesbrough revealed his delight at seeing a local side receiving such a welcome boost during difficult times for the grassroots game, which has been badly affected at senior and junior levels by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

He said: “It’s great to have competitions like this and it’s great to see a club in Sunderland winning too.

“It’s helped them financially because it’s difficult running a grassroots team.

“Everyone knows my history with Sunderland, I was born here, I’m a Sunderland fan and I played for the club for years.

“So people know my passion for the club, how much I love the city and the people around the place too.

“It’s always good to give something back and to see smiles on the faces of kids playing football.”

* Your Move is a partner of the EFL and this year will give away 100 kits to grassroots clubs as part of their ‘Your Club, Your Kit’ campaign.