Trai Hume has seized his chance at Sunderland with both hands, according to Tony Mowbray - and it can only enhance his chances of another Northern Ireland call-up. Mowbray said earlier in the season that Hume had become frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunities, but with defensive injuries taking their toll since Christmas he has been drafted into the side.
An injury to Dennis Cirkin saw the 20-year-old come on as a substitute in the Boxing Day win against Blackburn Rovers at the Stadium of Light, and he has started every one of Sunderland's five games since - generally at right-back where Lynden Gooch has been struggling with injury. His performances have attracted praise from Mowbray, and the head coach says Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill was at the Stadium of Light last weekend to see Sunderland in action against Swansea City.
"Trai is showing his quality and I know the national team manager has been watching him - he's done his chances no harm," Mowbray said after Sunderland's win against Middlesbrough on Wearside yesterday. "He's a really high quality player, you saw at times we rotated him into midfield because he can handle the ball and he looks forward when he gets it.
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"He passes forward, he's competitive and he smells danger. He's good in the air - he's got his opportunity and he's grabbed it with both hands.
"What a talent he looks to be."
Hume joined Sunderland from Linfield 12 months ago and he arrived on Wearside having represented his country at U17, U19, and U21 levels, and he won his first - and so far only - senior cap in March last year against Hungary. Hume was not part of the most recent Northern Ireland squad that faced Kosovo and Greece in the Nations League in September.
But since then O'Neill has returned for a second stint in charge of Northern Ireland, replacing Ian Baraclough, and his presence at the Stadium of Light recently suggests that Hume could be part of his plans ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifiers against San Marino and Finland in March.
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