Sunderlan's Dan Neil(Image: Andrew Parsons/Shutterstock)

Dan Neil could come out of the wilderness to play a part in Sunderland's Premier League clash with Wolves on Saturday.

Neil was once seen in the same breath as the likes of Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham on Wearside, with the homegrown product going on to become a certain starter after rising up the academy ranks.

He was Sunderland’s captain last year in a memorable promotion season but the influx of quality players ahead of him in the summer has seen him reduced to less than a bit-part player.

Despite playing 48 games last season for Le Bris’ eventual promotion winners and being so highly regarded by his peers, he has just one paltry minute of Premier League action next to his name this campaign as he sits patiently waiting for his chance.

If ever that was likely to happen it is on Saturday against Wolves.

Neil might well be eyeing up the exit door with Sunderland left even more up in the air as to what to do with their South Shields-born battler, considering his current contract...