RORY Delap revealed he has been impressed by the way Grant Leadbitter has handled the pressures of playing in a struggling Premiership side and predicted a bright future ahead for him.

Leadbitter was one of only a select few to emerge with any credit from Sunderland's pitiful display at high-flying Bolton Wanderers last weekend.

The Black Cats midfielder acquitted himself admirably against the Trotters and kept England hopeful Kevin Nolan quiet for the large majority of the game at the Reebok Stadium, while his team-mates flattered to deceive.

Only last week the 20-year-old's agent made suggestions that the club were in danger of losing his precocious talents if a long-term contract wasn't negotiated. On his fleeting involvement so far this season it would seem like sound advice.

"I've been very impressed with him," admitted Delap ahead of Blackburn's visit to the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

"I'd heard a little about him before I arrived and he'd got in the team before I came.

"People were telling me he was a good young player and since I've been here he's done nothing to change my mind about that. He's got a great future ahead of him.

"To come into a team that was struggling a bit and do as well as he has is all credit to him."

Leadbitter may have been making only his fifth appearance against Premier League opposition last week, but he displayed the confidence and maturity of a veteran in his later years -an attribute which has impressed Delap.

"He shows great composure on the ball for such a young lad," observed the 29-year-old midfielder.

"It seems to be the case these days that a lot of young players have got 100 to 150 games under their belt and they're still only 20 or 21.

"It didn't happen when I came to the Premier League at 21.

"I'd got my games under my belt in the lower leagues (not the Premiership). But I think the game has changed.

"I'm not sure whether they're (youngsters) are getting better or its easier to bring young lads through. But it seems to be happening a lot more and it'll be better for the game here, bringing home-grown kids through where clubs don't have to spend £5m or £6m on a player."

Delap would seem to be the perfect mentor for an up and coming midfield star in the making. After all, the Republic of Ireland star was at a similar age himself when he first burst onto the Premiership stage with Derby in 1998.

But, he quipped: "I'm taking it (advice) off him at the moment. I don't think he needs much guidance and seems a sensible lad. He probably needs guidance rather than counseling at this stage of his career.

"But he seems to have everything for the type of player he is."

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