Irish youngster James McClean has an outside chance of his Barclays Premier League debut in Martin O'Neill's first game in charge on Sunday.
The 22-year-old former Derry City winger, a £350,000 summer signing for Steve Bruce, has impressed the new
Sunderland boss during his first week on Wearside.
McClean, who made on the bench under Bruce but failed to make an appearance, caught O'Neill's eye ion the early sessions on the training ground, but particularly during Sunderland reserves' 6-3 win over
Manchester United on Thursday night.
And his new boss, who faces
Blackburn Rovers in his first game in charge at the Stadium of Light, could hand him a shock start as he looks to kick-start Sunderland's season.
O'Neill is without suspended captain Lee Cattermole, while on loan Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is struggling with a groin strain, which would leave O' Neill with the option of bringing McClean on to the left wing.
He said: 'I've been really impressed with McClean. He gives you absolutely everything and on Thursday night in the howling wind he was picking it up, and although he lost it a couple of times, he then came on really strongly.
'He's got a great attitude and I couldn't fault him. He's as courageous as they come and he's quite physically strong at the minute.
'Hopefully, he'll try to force his way into the side. Now the Premier League would be very new to him, but even so he was impressive.'