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James Hunter

Benji Kimpioka and Will Harris tipped to make an impact in Sunderland's promotion push

Benji Kimpioka and Will Harris can make an impact in Sunderland's first-team to aid the Black Cats' promotion push, according to Ross Stewart.

Injuries have seen young frontmen Kimpioka and Harris brought into the first-team fold, with the 21-year-old both coming off the bench in recent games.

Harris made his debut in the EFL Trophy back in October and has since gone on to make substitute appearances in the league, while Kimpioka made his senior debut more than three years ago but had since drifted out of contention before returning in December and he came on as a sub and scored in Sunderland's 5-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday on Thursday night.

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"I think they have shown that they can make an impact," said Stewart, Sunderland's 15-goal leading scorer.

"Will has been given his chance a couple of times in the first team and Benji came on and scored [against Sheffield Wednesday].

"They can both do a job when asked upon and training with them both I think they both have good futures in the game if they keep doing the right things.

"They are at a really good age where they are still learning and still developing so a lot of it will be down to how much work they put in and how hard they work, and how much they want it in a sense.

"Training with them everyday you see the bits of quality that they have and I’m sure if they keep doing the right things they can have a good career in the game."

Harris was an unused sub against Wednesday, but Kimpioka scored the fifth goal against the Owls - and only a smart save denied him a second goal on the night.

Sunderland rolled Wednesday over at the Stadium of Light and few would have predicted the scoreline given that the South Yorkshire side had won 3-0 at Hillsborough at the beginning of November.

Stewart said: "I think down there it was really tough but I think we've shown how much we've learnt in a short period as well in terms of managing the game and doing the right things.

"It was a tough night when we were down there, but I think on Thursday you've seen the difference - those two performances from us were like night and day.

"We have come a long way in a short period of time and at the same time we still have plenty to build on and that is probably the exciting thing, we still feel there is levels to go up."

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