Pickford Joins Alfreton On Loan

Young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has headed off on loan for a brief stint starting tonight at Alfreton Town after the Reds suffered an injury to regular number one 'keeper Phil Barnes.

Pickford hasn't made a first team appearance for Sunderland barring a brief outing against Groningnen in the summer's Peace Cup in Korea.

However his development has not gone unnoticed and he has established himself firmly as the third choice 'keeper at he club despite his tender age, with recently Academy chief Ged McNamee praising the talents of the England Under-19 starting stopper.

Within this Academy there are boys with the potential to go right the way through. Some of them - Jordan Pickford, the goalkeeper - he trains regularly with the first team.

Pickford will go straight into the squad for tonight's Blue Square Premier clash with Hyde FC, and it will be interesting to watch the development of a player tipped for the very top, and incredibly likely to sign professional terms next season.