TOMMY WATSON will get first-team opportunities in the next few months, with Regis Le Bris keen to step up the teenager’s involvement with Sunderland’s senior group.

Watson only turned 18 in April, but the Sunderland hierarchy confirmed just how much they think of him when they turned down a seven-figure bid from Brighton on deadline day at the end of last month.

So far, the youngster’s senior involvement has been restricted to two brief substitute appearances in the Championship and another run-out from the bench in this season’s Carabao Cup, and he was back in action for the Under-21s on Wednesday as Sunderland drew 2-2 with Athletic Bilbao in their opening game of the Premier League International Cup.

The striker will continue to gain experience alongside his fellow youth-team players, but he is increasingly training with the first team and Le Bris envisages him becoming more and more involved on a matchday as the autumn progresses.

“He (Watson) is close to the team now,” said the Sunderland boss. “He has improved a lot in a short space of time. Now, it is about making sure he settles in and fits into the culture we are building here.

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“He needs to get to know the game model and the way we want the team to operate. That will come with the experiences he gets with us.

“I think he is very close to the squad, and he will have opportunities during the periods we are going into where we have three games in a week. I am sure he will get opportunities to show what he is able to do.”