Player Briefing: John Egan John Egan is the latest youngster to break into the first-team squad - how much do you know about the young defender? John Egan is on the up and up after winning a first call-up to Sunderland's senior squad. The Cork-born 19-year-old was named on the bench for the 1-0 defeat at Manchester United prior to the international break and followed up with another outing as an unused sub against Fulham. Irishman Egan, who joined Sunderland's Academy at the age of 16, is from rich sporting stock as his father - also John - was a gaelic football star during the 1970s and 80s. The uncompromising central defender made 14 appearances in his debut season in Kevin Ball's under-18 team, scoring once. He was named captain in 2010-11, playing 22 games and leading the young Black Cats to the Premier Academy League title, captured after the team took off on a superb late-season run. Egan also impressed during a six-game cameo with Keith Bertschin's reserve team, showing promise at the higher level. But his progress this season has been exceptional, with a regular central defensive partnership with Louis Laing formed and blossoming in the reserves. The defender is proud to represent his native Republic of Ireland and is described as an "inspirational leader" by the FAI. He has been capped at under-16, under-17 and under-19 level, captaining the under-19s to an appearance in the final of the European Championships against Spain in Romania during the summer. Well we have plenty for the future what we need is for now, and blood them
Worked with a John Egan, from Hull, a piece of ****, the name sends shivers down my back, hope this kid restores my faith in the Egan name, also hope he issnt gingerish haired, like his namesake.
