HARRISON JONES' senior Sunderland debut was a 'dream moment', but having experienced life in the first team at Preston last night, the teenager is hoping to get a chance to pull on the red-and-white stripes at the Stadium of Light.

Jones was a 70th-minute substitute against Preston last night as the Black Cats exited the Carabao Cup at the first-round stage. The 19-year-old midfielder had been in senior squads under Mike Dodds last season, but the outing at Deepdale marked his first appearance on the pitch at first-team level.

The Wearsider first joined Sunderland’s academy at the age of five, and has always dreamed of playing for his hometown club. Now, the lifelong ambition has become a reality.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Harrison, who replaced Chris Rigg in Sunderland’s 2-0 defeat. “I have been here since the age of five, making my debut has always been the end goal that I’ve always strived to get.

“Countless years of hard work and sacrifices by my family (have gone into his development). My mam, dad, grandad, nana. They’ve helped me get here so a big thank you to them. I’m really, really proud.”

Jones was a key figure in Sunderland’s Under-21 side that made the Premier League 2 final last season, and is part of an exciting crop of youngsters that are knocking on the door of the first team under Regis Le Bris.

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The teenager is contracted to the Black Cats until the end of the season, with Sunderland having triggered a 12-month extension clause in his contract earlier this summer, and is hoping to maintain his current rate of progress over the course of the next few months.

“I think I developed loads last year, and all that has allowed me to get this far,” said Jones. “Hopefully, I can keep pushing. Having that first taste of it, I want to strive for more. I want to get more games, hopefully one at the Stadium of Light in front of the home fans.”

Like his fellow midfielder, Dan Neil, who was also a boyhood Sunderland fan, Jones is revelling in being able to play for the club he would have been supporting had he not been making his way in the professional game.

“I try not to be too happy (about his debut), because we did get beat,” he said. “But on a personal note, it was probably the best day of my life.

“I’ve been here since I was five - a local lad and a season ticket holder for a few years. I love the club, and I love the red and white.”