Promotion would be a huge bonus for new boy

over the moon to be here.” The Northern Ireland international has aspirations of playing at the highest level possible and has quickly settled in at the Black Cats with the help of his international team mates.

The 27-year-old received glowing praise from his former manager Mark Cooper, who said he was a “Championship player.”

He added: “It’s one of those things, I want to get as high as possible.

“I did well at Forest Green and it was a great club but every player wants to kick on and try to do better.

“It’s everything I want to do to play in the Championship.

“I want to play as high as possible and once this club comes knocking on your door it’s hard to turn down.

“They helped me a lot. ConorMcLaughlin, Will Grigg before he went away. They helped me settle, in which is important.”

The midfielder put in a solid performance to get his first 90 minutes in the tank for Lee Johnson’s side but has been made to bide his time.

Winchester said: “It was my first 90 minutes since I’ve been here so I was just happy to contribute and help the lads.

“The squad has a lot of talented players so I knew I wasn’t going to come in and play every minute straight away. I knew I had to fight for my place.

“I just try to work hard on the training pitch and then once I have the chance hopefully I can do well.

“I’m just going to work hard because I think this is my last chance to get into the Championship and I’m going to give it my all.

“The games come thick and fast, so it was just a case of being patient, working hard in training and when I get my chance I need to take it.

“There are a lot of big characters here and the club is full of talent, especially for this league.

“When I walked in the door I felt that and I’m glad to be part of that.

“With the talent we have we can go on a run but we just have to take it one game at a time really.”

The new signing has already been a hit with Sunderland fans on social media after a clever backheel against Ipswich and a Cruyff turn against Burton Albion.

Winchester added: “I like to do things like that but I tend to stay off social media.

“I don’t know why, I don’t look at it. I just try to focus on my football but it’s good to know that.

“The lads were saying once the place is full and rocking it’s unbelievable. I kind of knew about the fans already and it is something I can’t wait to experience.”