http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...mentor-sunderland-striking-prospect-1-7993288 Jermain Defoe has taken hot Sunderland prospect Josh Maja under his wing after the 17-year-old’s potential instantly impressed Sam Allardyce, writes Chris Young. Striker Maja travelled with the Sunderland first-team squad for the final day of last season at Watford and warmed up with Allardyce’s men prior to the 2-2 draw. The ex-Manchester City teenager had immediately caught Allardyce’s eye in his first session with the first-team a few weeks earlier and he continued to train with them. Maja is likely to be involved at some stage during pre-season – with the Sunderland squad returning to work on Monday – and Player of the Year Defoe will personally continue to help him make the most of his potential. England international Defoe has been mentoring Maja on the training ground, with the two frontmen warming up together at Vicarage Road. Although Maja is rated as one of the top prospects emerging through Sunderland’s academy, he is a raw talent, with the Lewisham-born frontman yet to even make his debut for the Under-21s. The ultra professional Defoe is the ideal role model, with Allardyce aware of the challenge in converting potential into what could ultimately be a first-team player. “The talent is there with Josh and the question is can the player develop his talent so that he is knocking on the door of the first-team?” said Allardyce in the club programme at the end of last season. Has anyone seen him play?
