Carl Winchester is determined to prove he can cut it in the Championship after helping Sunderland win promotion from League One. The Black Cats return to the second tier this season after a four-year hiatus, and they kick-off their campaign in front of the Sky Sports TV cameras at home to Coventry City on Sunday lunchtime.
Sunderland's squad is still a work in progress but Winchester insists they already have enough quality to be competitive in the Championship. And, from a personal point of view, he is also keen to show he can make the step up after spending his entire career to date in Leagues One and Two.
"It's an opportunity for each and every player to show everyone what they are capable of in the Championship," said the 29-year-old. "We know it's going to be tough but I believe we have a squad in there that is able to compete in it because we have a lot of quality.
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"We are all ready to go, the last [pre-season] game is done and dusted and now onto Sunday. Sunday is going to be a big game but obviously we are back at home, everyone is buzzing to be back at home and obviously getting the fans in.
"It's one we are all looking forward to and I can't wait. Obviously the Championship is a massive league and an opportunity for a lot of players.
"I need to prove myself out there and a lot of the younger lads in the team will be looking to do the same. It's my first time playing in the Championship so it's one I'm really excited for.
"Obviously it's a big step up for a lot of us, we are no mugs. Like I say we have quality in the squad and will hopefully add another couple of players and then we'll be competing."
The Northern Ireland international is pleased that pre-season is now over and the serious business starts this weekend. He said: "The whole city seems to be on an up [since promotion] and that's good.
"The fans deserve it and the past couple of years they have been through a lot. They deserve it, they deserve Wembley and they deserve Championship football so we are just happy to bring that to them.
"We have been working really hard in Portugal [during pre-season] and all the lads bonded really well, there is a togetherness in the squad. That is what pre-season is all about, doing the dirty work, getting ready for the first game of the season and I feel we have got a good pre-season under our belts.
"The lads have got a lot of minutes so we are looking forward to Sunday."
Winchester was one of Sunderland's stand-out players last season, generally operating either at right-back or at time on the right side of a back three, and few fans will have any doubts that he will be able to perform at Championship level. He said: "The gaffer likes me back [in defence] there so I'm happy enough to play anywhere for this club.
"It's a massive club and opportunity for me. I'm just taking each game as it comes and taking everything in my stride."
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