Trai Hume is determined to make the most of the opportunity handed to him by Lynden Gooch's injury and stake his claim as Sunderland's regular right-back. Hume had grown frustrated at a lack of game time this season but Gooch's foot injury, sustained in the home win against Wigan Athletic ten days ago, has given him the chance to show new head coach Tony Mowbray what he can do.
After initially opting to use Luke O'Nien as Gooch's replacement at Blackburn last week, a further injury to Aji Alese meant that O'Nien was moved back to central defence and Hume brought in for his first Championship start in the home defeat against Burnley last weekend. Mowbray had hoped Gooch would be available against the Clarets but it seems he may have suffered a setback, with the academy product taking no part in yesterday's open training session at the Stadium of Light.
And that means Hume seems set to keep his place for Saturday's trip to Luton Town, which gives him another chance to impress Mowbray. "Every player wants to play - it's not nice when you're not playing, but sometimes it happens," said Hume.
