https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...lder-dan-neils-crucial-chat-jordan-henderson/ By Scott Wilson WHEN Dan Neil received a maiden call-up to England Under-20s three years ago, he wasn’t just hugely excited because it was a huge honour to be representing his country. He was also thrilled because it gave him an excuse to reach out to one of his footballing idols. Travelling to St George’s Park, Neil knew he was going to be at England’s training base at the same time as Jordan Henderson was joining up with Gareth Southgate’s senior team. Two Wearsiders, two Sunderland academy products, two central midfielders. It was the ideal opportunity to pick the brains of one of the Black Cats’ greatest-ever footballing products…. “I got his phone number off David Jones and I met him for a coffee at St George's,” said Neil, who has followed in Henderson’s footsteps by stepping out of Sunderland’s academy system to hold down a place at the heart of the Black Cats’ midfield. “It was actually when I got taken out of the team in League One with Alex Neil, and I just had a chat with him about what's happened when you've had setbacks in your career. “He was really good. He gave me some really good advice. I was a little bit nervous to text him asking for a coffee, but to be fair he replied to the message and I'm glad that I sent it and met him because he gave me some really valuable advice that I still carry to this day. “A lot of it was about preparation through the week really. Run more than anyone else, do more in the gym than anyone else, work on whatever you need to work on more than anyone else, and then there's no need to not feel confident going into the game because you know that you've worked all week for it. That was the biggest thing that he gave to me.” “Coming through the academy, you always keep a close eye on the academy products and how they're doing,” said Neil. “There are so many academy products from this club that have had really good careers, and I think the two Jordans (Henderson and Pickford) are the standard for that. “I think having that standard so high allows the likes of me, Riggy (Chris Rigg) and Patto (Anthony Patterson) to keep striving because if they can do it, we can all do it at some point. They're really good role models for the lads that have come through.” “He (Henderson) had setbacks here, didn't he,” said Neil. “And he learned his trade and took a bit of stick and kind of did what he was doing and played in different positions, things like that. “I think being the captain of Liverpool tells you everything that you need to know about his character to go in and manage so many big personalities and big characters and big players, and at such a big club. I think that tells you everything you need to know about his character, and it's top.” Henderson has, of course, been linked with a possible return to Sunderland in the January transfer window. His current employers, Ajax, are understood to be willing to let him go, and the 34-year-old is believed to be keen to finish his career back in England. A return to the Stadium of Light would provide a pleasing sense of symmetry, with Neil thrilled at the prospect of potentially playing alongside one of his heroes. “Yeah, he can come back if he wants,” laughed Neil. “Would I like to play with him? Of course I would. He's a top-quality player. Whenever you get to play with top-quality players, you embrace it.” Perhaps, this time around, it will be Henderson calling Neil for a catch-up to discuss his future.
