Stephen Elliott wafts Sunderland allure for promising Troy Parrott

Stephen Elliott believes his former club Sunderland can provide good home for Troy Parrott to continue his development.

The 20-year-old started three of Ireland's four UEFA Nations League games this month, finding the net with a header against Scotland on Saturday and following it up with a encouraging performance in the 1-1 draw with Ukraine in Lodz on Tuesday.

Between now and the resumption of the Nations League campaign in September, it's unclear however what is next for the striker.

Still on the books at parent club Tottenham Hotspur, the Dubliner is expected to go out on loan again after gradually thriving at MK Dons in League One last season.

But for next term, former Ireland striker Elliott believes Parrott needs to move to a higher level than the English third tier and that the Championship should be the minimum level "for Ireland's sake".

"He's had that full season at League One and I think he's a better player now than League One," he told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.

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"I know people say he didn't score loads of goals in League One but the way he plays, he was always involved in goals and he started to score a few more towards the end of the season - some really good goals.

"But for him to keep improving, he needs to move himself up a level. I think somewhere like Sunderland - they need a couple of strikers - they've got Ross Stewart there at the moment but he could do with a little help in