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Loan Roundup
Young Sunderland attacker Luke Molyneux only signed for Gateshead on loan yesterday but he was thrown straight into the starting line up by Steve Watson as they travelled to Ebbsfleet United in the National League.
Molyneux slotted into a right wing slot as Gateshead won 1-0 in a game that was televised on BT Sport. He lasted until the 71 minute mark when he went off carrying a knock after falling awkwardly on his arm, but he can be proud of producing a hard working display on his debut.
Connor Shields was also in action today as Alloa Athletic visited Dundee United in the Scottish Challenge Cup.
Shields was substituted on the hour mark on his full debut for the side, but the teams drew 1-1 after 90 minutes and Alloa went through on away goals.
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Former trialist heads stateside
Polish striker Kacper Przybylko was on trial with Sunderland over the summer as he looked for a new club following his release from Kaiserslautern, but he left last month after failing to win a contract.
He briefly turned up for a trial at German side Magdeburg but, after that didn’t work out for the striker either, he is now in America hoping to win a deal with MLS outfit Philadelphia Union.
Union’s head coach Jim Curtin has been impressed with with Przybylko from what he has seen in training:
We’re taking a look, he’s done really well.
A big target No. 9 and a guy who has really good feet for a big guy, and overall has done good with his first couple days.
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Asoro talks Swansea move
Joel Asoro is on international duty with Sweden under-21 and while he has been away he has been talking to Aftonbladet about his move from Sunderland to Swansea.
The 19-year-old said the presence of Graham Potter and a better chance of playing time with the Swans, rather than with any other interested club was behind his move:
I have started in three out of five matches and I have received an assistant with me. The move feels very positive.
I’m glad to have a Swedish coach [Graham Potter], which makes things easier,
I had quite a few clubs to choose from, but I thought it was important to choose a team where I had a better chance of playing time.
I’m young and I need to play as much as possible. I’m not saying it was just that easy and therefore I went to Swansea - I have to work hard and perform there to play too.
Asoro also talked about his links with Spurs and after speaking with them, was left with the realisation that a move there meant a drop down to developmental football:
We had sat and talked to Tottenham and they said they couldn’t promise anything when it came to playing time: “He’ll have to fight his place like any other young player” and I felt I couldn’t make that choice.
It doesn’t hurt with a higher salary, but I thought more that I wanted to play. Should I compete seriously about playing in the U21 national team, I need to play in the club team too.
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Mumba highlights
Bali Mumba made his full England under-18 debut earlier in the week as they won 3-0 against Russia in the Limoges tournament in France.
That start came after he came on as a substitute in another 3-0 win, this time against the Netherlands on Wednesday.
They next play again later today against hosts France but you can watch the highlights of Mumba’s (8) full debut against Russia below.