Roker Roundup: Non-League trialist forward discusses his time so far with Sunderland

Temple discusses Sunderland trial

AFC Sudbury forward Shane Temple has been on trial at the Academy of Light this week, scoring a goal in two successive u18 Premier League games, against Everton and Newcastle United.

The 18-year-old already has first team experience with both Sudbury and Braintree and scored four goals in one FA Cup game earlier this season.

He remains at the AoL until today and is expected to receive feedback from Sunderland once the trial concludes, and he spoke to Suffolk News about his time at the club so far.

Temple discussed his two goals, the first of which came against Everton:

In the second half Everton had a corner, it came up to me on the halfway line and I spun and took it through and hit it into the top corner from just inside the area.

And the second was in a derby game against Newcastle:

The ball came in from wide on the right and I just hit it on the volley and it went in.

He went on to say that he could not have asked for more from the two games he has played during the trial:

Scoring and also going to Newcastle and scoring, as a striker I could not have asked for any more really.

---

Stead on post-retirement plans

Former Sunderland striker Jon Stead announced his retirement on Saturday, immediately following Harrogate Town’s 4-1 League Two defeat to Cheltenham Town.

Stead is now 38 and in an interview with the Harrogate Advertiser, said his plan now is to earn his coaching badges and eventually become a manager, although that aim is something that he will not rush into:

My plan now is to push forwards with my coaching, it is something that I really want to progress with. I think it would be a real shame if I didn’t given the amount of knowledge and experience I have of the game all through the levels.

I feel like it would be silly not to try and use it, not just to my advantage, but also to help younger lads in the game.

I have still got so much to learn, however, so I want to get a head start this summer and get through some bits and pieces to help me towards completing my [UEFA] A Licence.

So, that’s the next step. Whether coaching leads to management, we will see. I think I would like to manage at some point in the future, but I think we’re talking quite a few years down the line.

I don’t just want to jump into anything. I want to continue learning my craft,” he added.

Just because I have had a decent playing career doesn’t give me the divine right to walk into a coaching or managerial job.

I’m going all in. I want start at the bottom. Start at the beginning, like I did as a player, learning as I go and working my way up.

Photo by Simon Bellis - PA Images via Getty Images

---

500 up for Mignolet

Simon Mignolet hit a big career milestone last night, as the Belgian international played the 500th game of his professional career, 101 of which came in the red and white of Sunderland.

The 33-year-old currently plays for Club Brugge and his 500th game was in the Championship group of the Jupiler League in a match against Royal Antwerp, with his team 5 points clear at the top of the table.

The game finished 0-0 but although Mignolet was happy with a clean sheet, he was not satisfied with just a point, telling VoetbalKrant:

I am satisfied with a clean sheet, but not the approach of this match. As Club Brugge you always want to win.

Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images