Sunderland have made Carl Winchester their first signing of the January transfer window – but the midfielder will have to wait for his debut.

The 27-year-old, who has previously played under head coach Lee Johnson at Oldham, has joined the Black Cats for an undisclosed fee and has penned a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Winchester won’t, however, be able to feature against Port Vale on Tuesday evening.

That’s because the midfielder has already featured in the Papa John’s Trophy for former club Forest Green Rovers this season, playing the full 90 minutes in their group stage clash with Oxford United.

Competition rules state that players can only represent one team during the competition in any given season, meaning Winchester will have to wait until the trip to AFC Wimbledon to make his Sunderland debut.

Dion Sanderson will also be cup-tied for the clash with the Valiants having featured for Wolves in the competition.