Sunderland are reportedly interested in signing Forest Green Rovers captain Carl Winchester this month, Gloucestershire Live reports.
Lee Johnson knows the Northern Irishman well having played under the Black Cats for three of his six-and-a-half years as an Oldham Athletic player.
Winchester was among the substitutes for Forest Green's game against Oldham Athletic, which was abandoned after 58 minutes because of fog.
The midfielder has spent the last two-and-a-half seasons at the Nailsworth club after signing from Cheltenham Town, where he played under Lee's father, Gary.
The 27-year-old has just six months left on his contract at the New Lawn and has one full cap for Northern Ireland, which came against Wales in May 2011.
When approached by Gloucestershire Live , Forest Green declined to comment.
