Ndala could prove to be a City gem

BUT SECRET WEAPON FACES COMPETITION

- By BARRY COOPER

Joel Ndala's cameo off the bench on Tuesday night against Sunderland was particularly eye-catching, especially given his season-long loan move from Manchester City to Hull City had only been confirmed an hour before kickoff.

His first touch was a mazy run where he took the ball past his defender inside the box, before cutting back in front of goal having been teed up by Kasey Palmer, and moments later, his goalbound shot angled away just at the last moment before hitting the post.

As cameo displays in a friendly go, this was a hugely promising display from a player who is in desperate need of getting his career back on track at the MKM Stadium. He is not dissimilar in style to Jaden Philogene in how he moves with the ball.

Ndala went to PSV last summer, but the move to their reserve side didn't work out, and they opted against taking up the option to make his move to Eindhoven permanent for just over £5m.

"Joel is an extremely talented player. We are happy that he believes in our plan," former City striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink said after he signed for PSV a year ago. "He is a versatile player, who with his speed and technique fits very well in Dutch football."