The youngest Nigerian in history to feature in the Premier League Joel Asoro and former Super Eagles invitee Josh Maja will feature for the first team of Sunderland in the new season.

Maja has caught the eye in pre-season, netting four goals for the Black Cats in friendly matches before missing the last three games, including Friday night's 1-1 draw with Derby, after picking up an injury versus Bradford City.

''What Josh has done in pre-season, the goals, his work rate and the hold up play, it has been very good,'' said manager Simon Grayson.

''He and Asoro have been good in pre-season but when it comes to playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, the physical presence of these defenders, it is a different challenge.

''They’ll be around the squad but whether they play much, who knows?''

Manchester City Academy product Josh Maja was a late invitee to the Super Eagles training camp in London in March but could not attend the get-together due to club duties.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : safc.com