Dan Neil has been 'revitalised' after being given a breather at the end of last season, according to Alex Neil - and is now ready to shine on the big stage in the Championship. Academy graduate Neil was one of Sunderland's standout players in the first half of his breakout season last term, but in the weeks leading up to Alex Neil's appointment as head coach in February the midfielder had begun to show signs of burnout after playing virtually every game.
The 20-year-old started Neil's first two games in charge, but after that he made only one more start in the remainder of the campaign - although he did make a number of appearances from the bench. But his lack of action was not a reflection of the new boss' opinion of his ability, instead he saw that Sunderland had asked too much of Neil too soon and it had caught up with the youngster.
Neil has benefited from the break and returned fresh for pre-season, and Alex Neil is looking forward to having him back at his best for the new Championship campaign. "I think Dan Neil for me looks a different player to what he did when I walked in the door," said the head coach.
