Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray admits he's surprised to be working with on-loan Manchester United midfielder Amad Diallo.

Following a slow start to life at the club, Amad has gone up through the gears in recent weeks, producing a string of fine performances. His attacking output has also improved, registering four direct goal contributions in his last five appearances.

"Diallo is an amazing footballer," said Mowbray after victory over Birmingham. "He's come to the party.

"I think there's an understanding that this kid has real talent and deserves to be well respected within the team. Someone told me he cost £37million and I find it difficult to believe he's at Sunderland.

"For me to pick Diallo ahead of Patrick Roberts when I'd said he was the best player in the league is big. But Diallo's training has been unbelievable, how fast he is, how direct he is and how good he is with the ball.

"You look at his physical data in every match in the last three or four games, he's been the highest distance covered, the highest sprint distance covered, the highest high-intensity energy runs. He scored a wonderful goal but we see him do that every day."