Who is Newcastle United target Dion Sanderson  and how did the Wolves defender perform at Sunderland?
Sunderland AFC writer Phil Smith from our sister title the Sunderland Echo gives us the lowdown on the player, who he believes will one day be a Premier League regular. He was voted young player of the season and that only partially tells you just how popular a figure he was.Sanderson actually took a while to break through into the first team, not so much a reflection on him but on the way Phil Parkinson had a settled group of senior defenders who by and large were performing well.Once he broke through in the new year, though, he never looked back.He was often the only natural defender playing in his proper position due to widespread injuries, and showed a maturity well beyond his years.It's widely felt that the back injury which ended his campaign was one of the key reasons why Sunderland fell short in their promotion bid. Sign up to our daily newsletter The i newsletter cut through the noise Sign up Thanks for signing up! Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting...  Oxford player Matt Taylor is challenged by Dion Sanderson of Sunderland during the Sky Bet League One match between Sunderland and Oxford United at Stadium of Light on April 02, 2021 in Sunderland, England. He is quick, which means he has played at right back in the past.However, from what we saw last season his long-term future is almost certainly at the heart of defence.He's athletic and distributes the ball very well. He is your typical modern centre-back. His composure on the ball is an asset and he rarely gives it away when stepping out from the back.He has real pace, too, which can help a side play a little higher up the pitch.It's hard to pinpoint any real glaring weaknesses, other than to say that very obviously as a younger defender he will only improve the more senior football he plays. At this stage my view would be that it is a little early for Sanderson to be a regular in the Premier League.He's had a decent run in the Championship and an excellent run in League One. So I'd be looking at a full campaign playing centre-back in the second tier as the best next step.In the long run, though, I think he has the attributes to be a Premier League player. Sunderland would love to bring him back to the club but there's an understanding that it might be difficult.It remains, despite some reports, far from clear that Wolves are prepared to sell him this summer and the reality is that should he become available either on loan or permanently, there is likely to be interest from higher tiers.Sanderson had an excellent season here, and forged a strong bond with staff and fans alike, so there will always be some hope.But whether tangible progress can be made remains to be seen. A message from the Football Clubs Editor  Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Newcastle United coverage 365 days a year. This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription; sign up here.