THERE was an interesting striker making an appearance for Sunderland in the midweek reserves game against Everton - and now he is waiting to see if anything comes of it.

The trialist was Northern League hot-shot Aris Guerin-Lakonga and his outing was in the second week of his loan.

He had only been scheduled to spend one week with Sunderland, but after impressing during his initial spell he was asked to go back for a further five days.

That might have meant missing Jarrow Roofing's midweek cup defeat to West Allotment Celtic, but the extra few days at Sunderland could have helped to land him his dream move up to the professional game.

Guerin-Lakonga, who turned down a move to Bristol Rovers in the summer, was given his opportunity to shine at Sunderland because of the links to Wes Saunders, an agent who used to be assistant boss at Jarrow.

The 20-year-old is waiting to hear the outcome of his stint at Sunderland, but it is hoped the two weeks will secure a pro contract somewhere soon.

ONE manager likely to have at least considered him would be Darlington boss Mark Cooper, although he has been busy this week.

Cooper has spent a couple of days taking charge of a West Bromwich Albion training session as part of a course with the League Managers' Association.

Cooper has been helping Baggies boss Roy Hodgson in the build-up to this afternoon's Premier League match with Aston Villa. It's not the first time he has done it, he also helped Steve McClaren in the past.

LAST night saw an interesting forum held by Newcastle supporters aimed at discussing the future of football finance.

The Newcastle United Supporters' Trust organised the event to look at the state of play regarding governance and financial fair play in the English and European game and how it affects Newcastle.

Ex-Newcastle director Denis Cassidy and Sean Hamil, an expert on financial fair play and football governance from Birkbeck College's sports management school, both delivered speeches.

It was a two-hour slot at Sports Central at the University of Northumbria and was arranged following the Parliamentary Commission's review of the game and the recently launched UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations.

THE Insider has been asked to review a new book which has gone on sale for Sunderland supporters.

In Search of the Double, written by Paul Days and Mark Metcalf and published by Empire, looks back on, arguably, the greatest ever team to have worn the famous red and white shirts.

The team, featuring Charlie Buchan, Albert Milton, Frank Cuggy and Co, came the closest any Sunderland side has ever come to winning the double in the 1912-13 season.

As time has gone on the team has almost been forgotten, but Days and Metcalf look back on how Sunderland won the league championship and reached the FA Cup final under manager Bob Kyle.

The defeat at The Crystal Palace in front of a world record crowd will live forever in football folklore, as it was the first FA Cup final of the 20th Century.

Priced £12.95, In Search of the Double can be purchased in North-East branches of Waterstones. It will also be in the city's museum in the Winter Gardens from next week.

It can also be found at the Sunderland Supporters Association, A Love Supreme and on Amazon. They are also trying to make it available at the club shop.