Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is excited about his England youth prospect Louis Laing.

Laing is the England U16 captain and regularly trained with the first team during Ricky Sbragia's brief tenure as manager. Bruce has been urged to take a close look at the defender during the club's pres- season campaign.

The 15-year-old - who turns 16 in September and is starting the first year of his scholarship - is a tall, strong and pacey central defender.

Laing has been earmarked for big things in the England set-up, and is seen as one of the "crown jewels" of the Sunderland Academy.