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.
READ MORE: Alex Neil admits Sunderland's squad will still be a work in progress as the season gets under way
"He's looked fresh, bright, athletic, and he's looked good quality which we knew that he had. I think he's in a miles better place than he was then.
"And listen, it's difficult because it was his first season. He did really, really well and scooped all sorts of awards for what he did in the first part of the season and rightly so.
"Naturally though in your first year there is going to be a bit of a drop-off, whether that be physically, mentally or both. I felt that happened with Dan but he's come back and I think he looks revitalised, and he's determined because he wants to make sure that he shows his best self.
"I think he's done that in pre-season, and I've been really pleased with that."
Neil's performances in the first half of last season attracted attention further afield, with Burnley - who were fighting an ultimately unsuccessful battle against relegation from the Premier League - interested in signing him in January. Sunderland rebuffed any interest in their rising star at that stage, and Neil says another impressive season for his namesake - or any of the Black Cats' talented youngsters - at Championship level could make him a 'double figure million pound' player.
"They should have no fear, and embrace the challenge," he said of Sunderland's emerging talent. That's hopefully what youth brings you, you shouldn't be scared of what's coming.
"The one thing I'll say is, if you go and have a good Championship season, you're not a potential £1m player from League One. You can potentially go double-figure million pound type player.
"Look at Djed Spence as a perfect example. He couldn't really get into the Middlesbrough team, had a great season on loan at Nottingham Forest and has now gone to Tottenham for £12m or whatever the figure was.
"It really can change your life if you can affect it at this level."
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- Carl Winchester ready to prove he can cut it in the Championship with Sunderland
- Alex Neil says loan decisions will have to wait until Sunderland add more signings
