Coleman’s plea to Cats young stars

SUNDERLAND are waiting for a response after offering rising stars Joel Asoro and Josh Maja new long-term contracts.

Chris Coleman has warned the pair they could go ‘backwards’ if they leave and return to Under-23 football.

The teenage duo each have one year left on their current deals and the Black Cats are keen to extend their contracts.

Sunderland have held talks with the agents of both players, and boss Coleman says the ball is now in their court.

He said: “[There has been] no change. To be fair to us, we’ve been very proactive, speaking with their representatives. The ball is very much in their court, with both players.

“We’ve made very good offers so it is up to their camps to come to us, we’re waiting for them to come back to us so we can get it sorted out.”

Sweden Under-21 international striker Asoro made his debut last season but had to wait until this season for a run in the first-team, scoring twice in 22 Championship outings this term.

As an emerging talent, the 18-yearold has attracted considerable interest, with Premier League sides Arsenal and Watford among those teams said to be monitoring his progress.

Maja is also highly-rated, although a pre-season knee ligament injury has restricted the 19-year-old’s involvement somewhat and he has scored one goal in 15 Championship games.

Coleman knows that with Asoro and Maja about to enter the final 12 months of their contracts – after which they could leave for compensation payments that would be only a fraction of their true values – Sunderland need to tie them down soon to put off suitors.

He hopes both players get good advice from their agents at what is a crucial moment in their young careers.

And Coleman believes it would be a mistake for them to join Premier League clubs where their chances would be limited.

“You’re vulnerable when players go into the last year of their contracts,” he said.

“Equally, with both players, where do they go from Sunderland, a club the size of this with the opportunities that they will get here?

“They’ve had first team opportunities here, let’s say they go to a Premier League team, they’re not going to play because they’re not ready for that.

“They need to build on that firstteam experience and they need to do it here in my view.

“I think they’ll go backwards if they go into U23 football. They’ll get first team football here.

“I think it best for both players to stay here and build their careers here.”