According to recent reports, Sunderland are closing in on Forest Green Rovers captain Carl Winchester. Richard Mennear of the Sunderland Echo and Jon Palmer of Gloucestershire Live believe that Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson is keen to be reunited with the midfielder. Winchester has six months on his current contract at Rovers.
Forest Green Rovers Captain Carl Winchester Could be Sunderland Bound
Lee Johnson Keen to Sign the Right Players
Following Sunderland’s draw at Northampton Town, the Black Cats first game since December 15, Lee Johnson was asked about the January transfer window. Speaking to the Echo, he said: “We’ve got very healthy lists and information to go with those lists, and I’m very conscious when bringing any player in that the group sits well with it.
“Sometimes it’ll be an unfashionable signing, sometimes it’ll be a fashionable signing – and I guess people just have to trust over a period of time that we make the right decision for the long-term future of the club in terms of getting better instantly and over a period of time.”
Johnson has Worked With Carl Winchester Previously
Lee Johnson and Carl Winchester are no strangers to each other. The midfielder played under Johnson when the now Sunderland head coach was the manager at Oldham Athletic. Winchester played for Johnson for three of his six-and-half-years at Oldham. The two will know each other well and Johnson will believe that the 27-year-old will fit in well with the current squad.
Who is Carl Winchester?
Winchester is a Northern Ireland international; however, his last cap was in 2011 against Wales. He has spent his entire career in England playing in League One or League Two. After moving from Linfield, he spent six-and-half-years at Oldham Athletic playing in League One before departing. He moved on to Cheltenham Town in League Two before signing for Forest Green Rovers in 2018. Winchester has played over 320 games, scoring 25 goals.
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