LOUIS Laing has extended his loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers, with Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill happy to see his club's younger players furthering their footballing education away from the Stadium of Light.

But Ryan Noble will return to Wearside after becoming frustrated at a lack of opportunities at Championship side Derby County.

Laing will remain with League One Wycombe until the end of the season after impressing during his initial spell at Adams Park.

The defender is one of five Sunderland youngsters currently on loan in the Football League.

The tally was seven before John Egan returned from Crystal Palace and Noble opted to head back from Derby, but that still leaves Jordan Cook (Carlisle) Trevor Carson (Hull), Billy Knott (AFC Wimbledon), Blair Adams (Northampton) and Laing scattered around the country.

Throw in Cristian Riveros (Kayserispor), Asamoah Gyan (Al-Ain) and Jordan Pickford (Darlington) and Sunderland have close to an entire team playing their football elsewhere.

It remains to be seen how many will return to Wearside to play a significant role in the Black Cats' first team, but for now, O'Neill is happy to see his youngsters getting regular football elsewhere rather than clogging up Sunderland's reserves side.

"If the clubs they are at want to keep them and they are fine there, then we can extend the loans and bring them back if we need them," said O'Neill.

"All young players need experience and the loan situation was something I was keen to look at as soon as I came into the club."

Laing's position is interesting as the 18-year-old looked as though he was going to break into Sunderland's senior squad this season under the tutelage of the club's previous manager, Steve Bruce.

He made a substitute appearance in the 3-1 defeat at Wolves on the penultimate weekend of last season, and was involved in a number of this summer's pre-season matches, particularly during the tour of Germany.

However, he was restored to the reserves once the season proper got underway, and O'Neill clearly feels he is not yet ready to be considered for regular first-team action.

"It's great that we've been able to keep Louis for the rest of the season," said Wycombe boss Gary Waddock. "He's proved to be a very good addition to the group and I'd like to thank Martin O'Neill and Sunderland for allowing him to continue his development with us."

Noble's time at Derby was rather less productive, with the striker managing just one start and one substitute appearance during his month at Pride Park.

Derby boss Nigel Clough had been keen to keep the teenager in the Midlands, but Noble has opted to head back to the Stadium of Light.

"I have enjoyed my time at Derby, they are a great club and the boss has been excellent with me," said the 20-year-old. "However, with other players now coming back into the picture, it looks better that I move on. I am now back to full fitness and just want to be playing football."

With so many young players unavailable, it says much about the strength of Sunderland's youth set-up that the club's reserves are top of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North table.

They retained their position at the summit yesterday courtesy of an entertaining 3-3 draw with third-placed Liverpool.

Keith Bertschin's second string fell behind when John Flanagan broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, but three quick goals gave them a 3-1 lead at the break.

Adam Reed scored the first, slotting home from the penalty spot, Craig Lynch claimed the second, scoring from 25 yards, and the third came courtesy of an own goal when Andre Wisdom deflected home Roarie Deacon's cross.

However, Liverpool bounced back in the second half, with goals from Conor Coady and Krisztian Adorjan securing a 3-3 draw.

Meanwhile, Pickford has been named in the England Under-18 squad for next month's game with Poland.