Sunderland expected to sign U23 trialist in the summer following successful stay

Sunderland look set to sign trialist Michael Spellman in the summer as the winger continues to impress during his trial spell with the Black Cats' U23 side. Spellman scored 14 goals in 16 games for Chester-le-Street United in the Wearside League, attracting the attention of clubs in the EFL.

He spent a spell at Huddersfield Town in November and played for the Terriers' U19 side against Accrington Stanley U23s in the Central League. But since then he has been playing and training with Mike Dodds and Michael Proctor's U23 side at the Academy of Light and has made seven appearances for Sunderland in Premier League 2, including four starts.

He cannot sign for Sunderland at present but will remain with the club on a non-contract basis for the remainder of the season. The 19-year-old has impressed the coaching staff on Wearside and the signs are that the club will offer him a deal in the summer.

"He's a player that we like," said Proctor. "Because he has been registered with another club, it's not something we can do straightaway - it's probably one that we will revisit in the summer.

"He can stay with us on a non-contract basis until the end of the season, and then we can look at things then."

Sunderland are looking to strengthen their pool of U23 players and have had a number of trialists this season. At the beginnning of the month they signed 18-year-old defender Ugonna Emenike on a short-term deal running until the end of the season following a trial period which saw him play a number of Premier League 2 games.

Sunderland have also run the rule over Liverpool right-back Sean Wilson and Stockport centre-back Scott Holding, but they have since returned to their clubs.