Striker Daryl Murphy is convinced that Town teenager Teddy Bishop has the potential to go all the way and emulate two of his former Sunderland team-mates by breaking into the England set-up.
The Republic of Ireland international has compared the 18-year-old midfielder to Liverpool stand-in skipper Jordan Henderson, who has now won 20 caps, and Newcastle’s Jack Colback, twice a Town loanee during his time with the Black Cats, who received his first call earlier in the season but so far without making his international debut.
Murphy, 32, said: "I played alongside both Jordan and Jack when they were coming through at Sunderland and you could see how good they were going to be.
"Teddy is definitely on a par with those guys at the same age. Some of the things he does in training, never mind in games, convince me he is going all the way.
"He’s just such a nice lad that there are no concerns over his attitude. He loves what he’s doing and takes it all in his stride.
"Teddy’s not the biggest lad but he makes up for it. He’s very intelligent for his age, he reads the game well and he can ghost past opponents like they’re not even there.
"It’s brilliant to have him in the team because he creates things and makes things happen. Since he’s come into the side he’s been absolutely brilliant.
"I remember his first start away at Derby and he was probably the best player on the pitch. The Middlesbrough manager said the same when we played them but none of the praise will go to his head.
"He’s so level-headed and just happy to be playing football for a living. He respects the manager and the manager has a lot of time for him.
"He’s a fan as well, which makes it all the better, and I think we’re in a good position overall with the young lads we have coming through.
"Apart from Teddy there’s Matt Clarke and he’s not far away. Going forward Bish will get a few more 90 minutes under his belt — both start and finish games I mean. There’s a good squad and a good core of players here.
"We gave Bish a round of applause in the dressing room after Saturday’s game. It might have been his first full 90 minutes but he’s been brilliant for us.
"It’s a lot for him to take in, trying to play every week in this league when you’re not used to it. It’s hard but he’s been brilliant.”