Tony Mowbray has revealed he was plotting a move to bring Dan Neil to Blackburn Rovers if Sunderland missed out on promotion - and is now relishing the chance to work with him on Wearside. Academy graduate Neil was one of the Black Cats' standout players in his breakthrough season last term in League One which caught the attention of other clubs, including Rovers whose then-boss Mowbray was convinced the youngster had the ability to play at Championship level.
But with Sunderland winning promotion, and with Mowbray since installed as the Black Cats' new head coach, the pair are working together in the Championship in any event. And Mowbray says Neil is every bit as talented as he had seen from afar last year, and now sees it as his job to help the 20-year-old improve still further.
"Dan's career is on an upward trajectory, he's a very talented boy," said Mowbray, whose Sunderland side heads to Reading tomorrow. "As Blackburn Rovers manager last year, he was very much on our radar.
