Alex Neil brought in the 19-year-old winger to the Stadium of Light in the summer of 2022 and Bennette made 18 appearances in all competitions.
This season, Bennette has featured only once for Sunderland’s first team and has featured four times for the Black Cats Under-21 side.
Collins believes that Bennette has to work hard and prove himself with the Sunderland Under-21 side to impress Mowbray and his coaching staff.
He also pointed out that, with tough competition on both wings, Bennette has to make an impact when he gets the opportunity.
“He has to keep doing it for the Under-21s, score goals there and put in impressive performances to show Tony Mowbray and the coaching staff that he is working hard”, Collins said on Sunderland’s media.
“When he gets his opportunity in the first team, he has to try and take it.
“But it is difficult for him because his best position is out on the left.
“Well, is he going to get in ahead of Jack [Clarke], probably not.
“Patrick [Roberts] is on the other side, so it is difficult for him to get in, so when he gets minutes off the bench, he has to have an impact and show the effort and work rate like he did against Southampton.”
Bennette has scored once and assisted twice in four appearances for the Sunderland Under-21 side and he will be hoping to get back into the first team with his performances.
