Tony Mowbray is convinced teenager Edouard Michut's talent will shine through despite his tough start to life in England following his move to Sunderland. The 19-year-old joined the Black Cats from Paris St Germain at the end of August but is the only one of the summer intake yet to feature at first-team level for his new club.
Michut suffered a minor injury in training earlier in September which hampered his efforts to build up his fitness, but Sunderland fans had their first opportunity to see the midfielder in action when he started for the U21s against Middlesbrough at Bishop Auckland on Friday night - only to be sent off for a second bookable offence in quick succession, around 20 minutes from time. Mowbray felt Michut was treated harshly when the red card came, and says the game will have come as an eye-opener for the youngster.
Michut will have to adapt to the physical demands of English football but, when he does, Mowbray is convinced his talent will come to the fore. "He needs some encouragement and the opportunity to play," said Mowbray.
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"I think he was very harshly dealt with in the U21s game, to be honest, if you saw some of the tackles that went on in that match. He's only a young boy but he is very, very talented, he is very focused.
"He feels ready to play and I hope that when his opportunity comes, the fans see this player who has two lovely feet, great balance, and who looks forward with his passes. He's a player that I like.
"Is he ready for the physicality of the league? Is he ready that the ref doesn't blow his whistle if someone grabs him round the throat and drags him back, and play goes on instead? There was a bit of that going on the other night in the U21s.
"It was an eye-opener for him, but he will acclimatise to it because he is a bright kid and you'll see his talent come out on top in the end, whether that is short-term or long-term, because he is a very good player."
Michut's red card carries a one-game suspension but that sanction applies only to non-first team games, meaning he must sit out Monday's Premier League 2 game against Nottingham Forest U21 at Alfreton Town. However, he is available for this weekend's Championship game against Preston North End at the Stadium of Light, should Mowbray opt to include him in the squad.
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