GUS Poyet admits he sympathises with Emanuele Giaccherini after the Italian internationalâs injury-hit start to the campaign. Giaccherini remains a major doubt to be involved in todayâs visit of Stoke City after continuing to receive treatment this week on an ankle problem. It is the second injury absence enforced on the 29-year-old in the opening two months of the season after he suffered a groin strain in the penultimate pre-season friendly. That kept Giaccherini out of the first two games of the campaign, when he was expected to have held down a place in Poyetâs first-choice XI after impressing the Sunderland boss during pre-season. After recovering from that problem, Giaccherini was handed his first start of the season at Burnley a fortnight ago, but then suffered an ankle injury in the final 20 minutes, which has provided another barrier to his participation. Poyet said: âGiaccy is one of the biggest issues Iâve got at the moment. âHe was so impressive, but that little injury in pre-season put him behind. âThen he came back so impressive and then got another knock which has put him back again. âI feel a little bit sorry for him because he should be playing week-in, week-out, but heâs not because of the injury problems.â Italy boss Antonio Conte will reveal tonight whether Giaccheriniâs injury problems have cost him a place in the national team set-up for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Malta over the next 10 days. Giaccherini started both of Italyâs first two games under Conte last month after being left out of the World Cup squad by his predecessor Cesare Prandelli.
You get suspensions n injuries and its a long season. Giacch could be a major player for us when he is completely fit especially if him and Alvo click.
