Sunderland target Nectar Triantis has been hailed as a 'future international' by Central Coast Mariners coach Nick Montgomery.
The former Sheffield United midfielder gave Triantis his big chance in the A-League, with the youngster impressing this season.
The Black Cats are reportedly closing in on a £250,000 move for the Australia A star, who has received positive reports following a campaign in the centre of the Mariners defence.
READ MORE: Sunderland closing in on Australia youngster Nectarios Triantis
Montgomrey oversaw Garang Kuol's development, with the forward making his full Australia debut and earning a move to Newcastle United in January, and speaking earlier this season, bracketed Traintis among those player he expects to go on to great things.
"It's not just Garang and (Mariners striker) Jason Cummings, there are other future internationals for this team," Montgomery said. "Nectar Triantis, 19 years old, outstanding. Captain of the Under-20s, and tonight he just looked like he cruised through the game against some big visa players."
Triantis missed four games earlier this season due to the U20 Asian Cup, much to Montgomery's annoyance. He told the Western Australian at the time: "I think it's crazy. I spoke to (Young Socceroos coach) Trevor Morgan and the FFA, and we asked that Nectar doesn't go.
"We've got nine games to go (before finals), he's playing men's football, he's a massive prospect for the future. I think Australia is the only country in the world where you take players starting first-team football (and order them to) play youth football. I don't agree with it whatsoever."
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