Baraclough’s message on Winchester's international prospects

Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough has opened the door to a potential international recall for Carl Winchester.

Though Winchester missed out on selection for next month’s World Cup qualifying double-header against Switzerland and Bulgaria, the 28-year-old has been included on the standby list.

Tom Flanagan and Corry Evans have both been called into the full squad.

Winchesterhasonecapfor hiscountry,buthasexcelledin an unfamiliar right-back role for Sunderland this season.

His growing reputation amongst the Sunderland supporters was strengthened again on Saturday as he scored his third goal of the campaign, one which proved to be the winner against an impressive Bolton Wanderers style.

Baracloughconfirmedthat he has scouted Winchester in person this season.

"He’s on the standby list,” Baraclough said.

“He’s someone I’m fully aware of having worked with him at Oldham.

"Hewasamidfielderthen.I thinkSunderlandhavebought him as a midfielder, but at the moment they’ve obviously got a problem at right-back.

"I went to watch him the other week against Fleetwood and I thought he had a really solid game.

"He scored last weekend as well so he’s dealing with that situation really, really well.

"He might have thought at some stage that international football had passed him by a little but but it’s certainly not the case.

"People playing well for their clubs, it will get noticed now.

"We’ve got more and more peopleonthegroundwatching gamesaswellasmyselfandthe firstteamstaffsoCarlhasdone himself no harm whatsoever withastrongstarttotheseason with Sunderland.”

Lee Johnson spoke earlier this season of his surprise that Winchester has not won more caps for his country, and after thewinoverBoltonWanderers praised his first Sunderland signing for showing his class.

“He’s a class player and a class finisher,” he said.

“Everything about what he does and the way he plays, like I said, he’s a proper technician. Whether that’s a finish or a pass, he’s got that.

“What’s been nice to see is his defending. Even in a couple of interceptions he’s made where they’ve made out to in runs and through balls that were good balls but very close.

"It showed you he was switched on defensively as well.”