TRAI HUME is set to return to the senior Northern Ireland squad in March, with Tony Mowbray confident the 20-year-old will continue to progress with both club and country.

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill was at the Stadium of Light on Sunday to watch Hume impress at right-back as Sunderland beat Wear-Tees derby rivals Middlesbrough 2-0.

Hume’s solitary senior international cap came in a friendly defeat to Hungary in March 2022, but after being omitted from the last few squads, the defender is in line for a recall as O’Neill prepares for Euro 2024 qualifiers against San Marino and Finland in two months’ time.

Hume has also forced his way into Sunderland’s starting line-up, with his performance at the weekend, as he helped contain Middlesbrough’s Australian international Riley McGree, as good as anything he has produced for the Black Cats.

“I think Trai is showing his quality,” said Mowbray. “I know the national-team manager was here last week watching him and he didn’t do himself any harm.

“He’s a really high-quality footballer, Trai Hume. As you’ve seen, we’ve rotated him into midfield sometimes, and he can handle the ball. He looks forward, he passes forward, he’s competitive, he smells danger, he’s good in the air and he’s got a range of passing.

“Some players need an opportunity. Trai wasn’t getting an opportunity a lot – I was playing (Lynden) Gooch, but Gooch’s injury gave Trai the opportunity and he has grabbed it with both hands. What a talent he looks.”