Cool customer Kone can help Amorim embellish options in threadbare midfield

GREAT THINGS ARE EXPECTED OF YOUNG ACADEMY STAR SEKOU

- By AARON MORRIS

SEKOU Kone was showered with praise by Travis Binnion just three games into his United career, highlighting how the Reds may well have a seriously bright talent for the future.

The 19-year-old was secured in a £1m deal from Guidars FC last summer, and he took very little time to make a mark in the Under-21s setup.

While Kone missed academy level preseason and was allowed time to settle in before he was utilised, Binnion was incredibly positive with his assessment of the youngster once he entered the fray.

Speaking to M.E.N. Sport last November about Kone after a clash with Huddersfield Town's senior team, Binnion said: "He's a high potential player, there's no doubt about that.

"His games to this point have been 20 minutes at Sunderland in a game we were poor in, 45 minutes in a game where we were completely dominant in Under-19s.

"He's come off injured tonight so will have to see the severity of that. He needs to get fit, stay fit, get a run of training and games and then we'll where he's at.