Are there lessons to be learned for Sunderland's youngsters on loan?
Get the latest SAFC updates & transfer news straight to your inbox by signing up to our FREE newsletter Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice  Gateshead kicked off their pre-season preparations for the National League North season with a 4-1 win over the 2020 FA Vase winners Hebburn Town. The Heed looked impressive for a side who hadn't played a competitive fixture since their 1-0 win over Guiseley back in January. Among the new look Gateshead side was former Sunderland youngster Ryan Wombwell, who played the first 45 minutes at the Hebburn Sports & Social Ground. READ MORE: 'My head was wanting to play Championship' - Everything Luke O'Nien had to say after signing new three-year deal with Sunderland  The youngster was part of the Sunderland Under-23's side that made the PL2 play-off final and made an appearance from the bench at Selhurst Park. After joining the Black Cats youth set up in March 2019, Wombwell made 25 appearances across two seasons for the U18's before making the step up to the clubs U23 side. He made 15 appearances for the Black Cats youngsters last season and opted to leave the Stadium of Light in search of first team football. (Image: Gateshead FC)  The 21-year-old, who is a right-back by trade, operated on the left of a back three alongside former Newcastle United centre-half Mike Williamson. Wombwell looked assured and was rarely threatened, keeping Hebburn's Ali Alshabeeb at bay. It's unclear whether Wombwell was offered a new deal at the Stadium of Light but the search for first-team football has been a constant theme emerging from academy prospects in recent seasons. Joe Hugill, Bali Mumba and Sam Greenwood have all left the Academy of Light in the hope of breaking through elsewhere. Nonetheless, there have been clear signs that the new ownership have made moves to address this, offering the likes of Jack Diamond and Anthony Patterson long term deals, while Josh Hawkes is aiming for a breakthrough season. The recruitment drive in the summer highlights the new focus on producing players for the senior set-up, but the pathway must go beyond Under-23's football. (Image: Gateshead FC)  There are still many debates to be had in relation to under-23's football and how beneficial it is for youngsters. Only Benji Kimpioka left the Black Cats youth set-up in March, to play first team football at a senior level, joining Torquay United for their final stretch of the season. It proved a pretty unsuccessful spell with the Swedish youth international failing to find the target in his spell there, but a taste of senior football will have done him the world of good as he continued his recovery from injury. Lee Johnson used the game against Spennymoor to cast his eye over Sunderland's second string and a number of them will no doubt be given another chance to impress. You would expect the likes of Ellis Taylor to feature again for the senior side, but a number of youngsters could and probably should go out on loan to help further their development. It's the only slight criticism that can be levelled at the club last season - while it was one of transition both on and off the field - not enough youngsters left the club on loan. Wombwell's performance for Gateshead, albeit early days, shows that the Black Cats have talent in the squad, stretching beyond their main men. The amount of games that the 21-year-old will play for the Heed this season should easily surpass the amount of games he played for the Black Cats U23's. The sporadic nature of the PL2 fixtures means the youngsters only play 24 games in a regular season. Sunderland used a handful of trialists and used the fixtures to give senior pros game time, like Chris Maguire, in order to maintain fitness, which in turn limited the game time of youngsters making their way up the ladder. There are pros and cons to both loans and spending time in the youth set-up. Sunderland have ample local clubs at their disposal to send their youngsters to, Hartlepool's recent promotion to League 2 gives them another good level to send players too, while the likes of Gateshead, Spennymoor, Darlington and Blyth Spartans can all offer first-team football at National League level. Anthony Patterson was touted for a loan to Scottish Premiership side Hamilton last season, but a move didn't transpire and he's expected to be the Black Cats number two this season. He'll have learned a lot from playing understudy to Lee Burge and Remi Matthews last season. There are a number of players in the U23's set-up who haven't kicked on yet to that level and could learn a lot from first team football. It's certainly something for the club to consider after pre-season.