Sunderland new boy Winchester gives us versatility, says McAllister

Jamie McAllister says Carl Winchester will bring a welcome versatility to the Sunderland squad.

S u n d e r l a n d 's n e w a s - sistant head coach played against the 27-year-old earlier in his career, and says he will be an asset to Lee Johnson in the weeks and months ahead.

Johnson and McAllister feel that the former Forest G re e n R ove r s c apta i n i s a natural for two positions in the 4-3-3 system currently being used by the Black Cats, and will offer some welcome cover for the experienced Grant Leadbitter.

Leadbitter has excelled this season but the club are facing a punishing fixture schedule.

"The gaffer has worked with him at Oldham (Athletic) when he was a young player so he obviously knows him well," McAllister said.

"I've watched lots of videos of him and I've played against him, as well.

"He's just a tidy footballer, he's athletic, 6ft 1in.

"He can mark, he can play box-to-box as an eight, or as a six, sitting dictating, because he's got good quality on the ball and a good range of passing.

"He can put his foot in, as well.

"It gives us a bit of cover for Grant Leadbitter, who obviously tu rned 35 the other day, as we have a lot of games coming up.

"Grant is a top player but he might need a rest somewhere along the way.

"H e's a l s o p l aye d r i g htback as well, which we saw Max Power do really well the other day.

"It's good to have that flexibility in players.

"It just adds to the squad, really. It's a new face, more competition, and hopefully he settles in well."

Johnson said on Sunday that Winchester had been playing 'below his natural level' in League Two.

"A f t e r a s s e s s i n g o u r squad and establishing the p ro f i l e o f m id f ie l d e r we wanted to bring in, we evaluated all the elements, inclusive of the data, and felt that

Carl was the right player to add to our squad,” Johnson said.

"He is a good player who is in the prime of his career, and his versatility means he can play in a number of positions, ensuring he will also bring depth to our squad.

"W h e n h e wa s a you n g player at Oldham, every top c lub wa nte d h i m , wh ic h shows the potential he has always had."