Sunderland are the early season pace setters in League One this term and Carl Winchester has heavily contributed to that in a largely unfamiliar position.

It was over two seasons since the 28-year-old had played at right back before this campaign, however the former Forest Green Rovers man has applied himself excellently in starting six of the seven league games so far on the right of the back four.

Winchester has popped up with two goals and earned praise from his manager Lee Johnson when he spoke to ChronicleLive.

He said: "While the team is performing well and he is doing well, it seems the natural thing to do is to leave him in there.

"What's impressed me most is the one-vs-one defending that he has done.

"He has always been a technical, he's very silky in the way he plays, in the way he manipulates and moves the ball. He's another one where we have looked to add a bit of plyometric power over the summer and he has done extremely well." he added.

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Sunderland travel to Fleetwood Town on Saturday with the Cod Army fresh off a 4-2 victory over Rotherham United. A win at Highbury Stadium would cement the Black Cats' place at the top of the division.

The Verdict

There were a few question marks over whether Carl Winchester would be able to make the step up from Forest Green to Sunderland, a huge transformation in the pressure and size of the club.

His prowess now at right back has allowed Lee Johnson to use Luke O'Nien further forward and give Niall Huggins some time to get up to speed in senior football.

Winchester is a key man in the squad at the moment, with his application and commitment at right back also providing the platform for the emergence of Dan Neil in central midfield. There is a lot to be positive about at the Stadium of Light at the moment and Winchester will be hoping that continues in the coming weeks.