Sunderland's Trai Hume says his call up to the Northern Ireland senior side is what every boy dreams of after being called up by Ian Baraclough. The Black Cats youngster has made just two starts since making the move to the Stadium of Light in January, but has impressed enough to earn his first senior call up.
With Paddy McNair staying in Northern Ireland to receive treatment on a bruised foot and fellow right-back, 18-year-old Conor Bradley of Liverpool still not yet with the senior squad, Hume is in line to make his debut in Luxembourg. The Sunderland defender knows he faces stiff competition from the Anfield youngster, who made the jump across the pond aged 18.
Hume has been made to bide his time, jumping at the chance to join Sunderland two months ago after honing his skills back home. Competition with Bradley is something the Sunderland defender is relishing, though, as he told The Irish News: "It will only benefit the both of us if there is a competition. It will bring out the better of me and it will bring out the better of Conor. I haven't thought about it that much but if we're playing for the same position it will only benefit the both of us."
READ MORE: Trai Hume on Sunderland being the right place for his development and emulating David Healy
While Hume has been made to bide his time, the 19-year-old insists he knew the call from a big club would come at some point and he is looking to capitalise on his international call-up.
He said: "I always had confidence. When I didn't get across the water aged 16 I didn't let it affect me. I thought the opportunity would come at some point and I kept going. It has come now and I did expect it…
"Obviously it was always in the plan but it has come a bit quicker than I thought. I only moved away in January and it's only March now and I'm away with the seniors with Northern Ireland, it's what every young boy dreams of.
"You want to play with the national team and I've got to come two months after I've moved across the water, I'm just trying to take it in my stride."
