Sunderland closing in on first January signing with Forest Green Rovers captain Carl Winchester set to join

Sunderland are closing in on their first signing of the January window with Forest Green Rovers captain Carl Winchester expected to join.
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Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson worked with the Northern Irish midfielder at Oldham Athletic.

As first reported last Saturday, a deal was understood to be close and the Echo expects Winchester to be the first signing of the window.

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The Echo’s Sunderland writer Phil Smith has provided an update for fans, tweeting: “Expecting Forest Green Rovers midfielder Carl Winchester to be the first #SAFC signing of the window at some stage in the not too distant future.

“27-year-old has six months left on his current deal and will add another option in midfield.”

The 27-year-old has one full cap for Northern Ireland, which came against Wales in May 2011.

Sunderland’s business, like their rivals, will be limited by the salary cap and squad number restrictions on clubs but they will look to strengthen.

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When asked about his aims for the window prior to the goalless draw with Northampton Town on Saturday, Johnson said:"We’ve got very healthy lists and information to go with those lists, and I’m very conscious when bringing any player in that the group sits well with it.

Forest's Carl Winchester is set to join Sunderland.Forest's Carl Winchester is set to join Sunderland.
Forest's Carl Winchester is set to join Sunderland.

"Sometimes it’ll be an unfashionable signing, sometimes it’ll be a fashionable signing – and I guess people just have to trust over a period of time that we make the right decision for the long-term future of the club in terms of getting better instantly and over a period of time.”

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