Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce says Duncan Watmore can inspire the club's young players.
Watmore scored in victory over Stoke City today.
“There's no doubt that training with the first-team brings you on and brings you to a better level, as long as you can handle it," said Allardyce.
“Since I've been here, Duncan appears that he can handle it and we're starting to bring one or two more youngsters up.
“There's been a tendency here to have 25 senior pros, keep them together and not bring the Under 21s in.
“That's rubbish for me."