Sunderland defender set to miss Gillingham and Coventry City clashes

The full-back is currently away with the Northern Ireland squad ahead of their trip to Germany and he - along with Tom Flanagan and Jon McLaughlin - will miss the visit to Gillingham.

Sunderland had requested to move the fixture to the following week given the call-ups, but the move was blocked.

And with McLaughlin suspended for the visit of Coventry City on November 23, he faces a long wait to return to the fold at the Stadium of Light.

"It will be frustrating, especially because I'll be suspended for the next league game as well,” he admitted.

“I might not play again for a few weeks, which is frustrating.

“A cup game I could have played in, bit it's just one of those things."

But where would he rather be - Gillingham or Germany?

“Well at the minute I'm not in the Northern Ireland team, but that'll be a good experience there.

“I'm enjoying being in the team at the minute and playing every week, so i just want to keep doing that."

It’s been a testing few weeks for McLaughlin, who has seen managerial changes at both club and international level.

And while Michael O’Neill remains in charge of Northern Ireland in the short-term, the full-back is wishing his international chief well at new club Stoke CIty.

"It's been a mad few weeks really in terms of managers really,” added McLaughlin.

“Obviously Michael at Northern Ireland has done unbelievably well over the last seven or eight years and he deserves a chance at club management.

“I'm sure he'll go on to do well there."

When McLaughlin returns from international duty, he will be keen to continue impressing Phil Parkinson - who has handed him regular opportunities since his arrival.

And the former Fleetwood man is determined to help the side start showing some consistency under their new chief.

"I'm enjoying playing and it's just frustrating at the minute because in patches we're playing really well, but it's just keeping that going and being consistent.

“It's the first half, second half contrast and it's frustrating."