Trai Hume should be given new Sunderland role, standout stats prove why

Trai Hume has proven that he is a genuine option for Sunderland in central midfield with his latest strong performance for Northern Ireland.

Hume has been a key player for Sunderland for several seasons, helping them achieve promotion in 2025 after a stellar second tier campaign.

He remained a regular last term, featuring at right-back, left-back and right-wing, but has started just two of their first five league games this season.

The 24-year-old will have been disappointed with his reduced game time, but a new route back to the Black Cats' starting eleven may have opened up.

Hume shone in an unfamiliar midfield role for Northern Ireland on Friday night and could emerge as a genuine option there for Regis Le Bris this season.

He captained his country to a memorable 3-0 win in Ukraine as they moved three points clear at the top of their Nations League B group.

Trai Hume proves his quality in central midfield away from Sunderland

Hume started 34 league games last season upon Sunderland's return to the Premier League.

He already looks set to fail to match that total in this campaign, with Le Bris preferring the likes of Nordi Mukiele and Thomas Meunier on the right flank.

The 24-year-old continued a stellar international break on Friday as Northern Ireland emerged with a vital win in Trnava.

Hume lined up in central midfield for just the second time in his career alongside Shea Charles, producing seven defensive contributions, winning six ground duels (second-most of any player) and drawing two fouls (third-most).

He provided the ideal gritty performance that his country needed in the middle of the park to see off a strong Ukraine side.

With his route back to the Sunderland eleven looking tough on the right flank, Le Bris should take notice of Hume's midfield exploits and consider him as an option there going forward.

How did Northern Irish media rate Hume vs Ukraine?

Sunderland fans have the chance to watch Hume in action for the last time before club football returns as they face Georgia on Monday live on BBC Three and iPlayer.

The 24-year-old earned huge plaudits in his home country for Friday's performance, especially in the absence of injured club teammate Dan Ballard.

Belfast Live gave him an eight rating and said: "Given the armband again and combined quality with grit."

While the Belfast News Letter handed him a seven and wrote: "Skipper set the tone in midfield with an early driving run from deep."