LEE JOHNSON has challenged Benji Kimpioka to use the next six months to prove he deserves a long-term opportunity with Sunderland.

Kimpioka has been on the Black Cats’ books since the summer of 2016, save for a brief spell when he returned to his native Sweden to ponder his future before eventually returning to Wearside, but with his current contract due to expire at the end of the season, the 21-year-old’s future is uncertain.

Having started the season with the Under-23s, and had a brief unsuccessful loan spell at National League side Southend United, the striker has found himself promoted to the first-team squad as Sunderland’s injury issues have mounted in the last few weeks.

He made his first league appearance of the season from the bench in last week’s 5-0 win over Morecambe, and while he was an unused substitute in Saturday’s victory over Plymouth, he is likely to get more senior action during the busy festive spell.

Long touted as an exciting academy prospect, the Sweden Under-21 international has been unable to establish himself as a first-team regular in the past, and Johnson has hinted that will have to change in the second half of the season if Kimpioka is to earn himself a new deal.

“I think it’s a really big moment in time for Benji, during this second half of the season,” said the Sunderland head coach. “Undoubtedly, he’s got some amazing attributes. He’s got real skill, he’s a really powerful boy, he’s quick and he’s got good movement. He can handle the ball with his back to goal.

“I think there’s areas of his game he has to work on, and that we have to add and he has to add, but of course that’s what we’re here for. We’re here to try to support him on that, and help him develop.

“But when he gets his opportunity, he has to take it. Through unforeseen circumstances, I suppose, and good form in the Under-23s’ training sessions and games, he’s found himself with an opportunity of coming on in matches.”

Kimpioka was only on the field for 15 minutes against Morecambe, but Johnson saw enough to suggest the youngster is capable of positively influencing games at League One level.

He wants him to be more assertive though, particularly when it comes to establishing a relationship with those around him. As a striker who likes to break behind opposition defences, it is essential Kimpioka is on the same wave-length as the creative fulcrums of the Sunderland midfield.

“Against Morecambe, I thought the last five or ten minutes of his on-pitch actions in particular were really good,” said Johnson. “He’s got to understand what his strengths are, and he’s got to be able to build a rapport with the players around him. He’s got to influence them, to enable them to play to his strengths.

“There was one occasion where Pritch (Alex Pritchard) and Dan Neil basically said to him, ‘Look, next time I get it in that quarterback position, I want you making a double run and getting over the top’. Straight away, he did that. Dan Neil found him with a ball over the top, and it just brought out his electric pace, dynamism and timing of the movement.”

Developing that kind of rapport can come on the pitch, but Johnson will also be encouraging Kimpioka and the rest of Sunderland’s emerging young players to impress their personality on the rest of the dressing room.

“With these young players, we’re always trying to educate them and reinforce the message that they rely on team-mates,” he said. “Therefore, they’ve got to canvass team-mates and influence people, whether that’s when you’re playing table tennis, having lunch with them, at half-time, sitting over a tactics board, wherever.

"You’ve got to build a rapport, particularly with players that can bring out the best in your game, like passers can with Benji.”