GUS POYET is hoping that an injury to Emanuele Giaccherini is not as bad as first thought after Sunderland’s 0-0 draw at Burnley on Saturday.

The Italian international limped off in the second half after falling awkwardly making a defensive challenge in the Sunderland box, but Poyet believes the attacker may be fit for Tuesday’s Capital One Cup game against Stoke.

“I think it is less than what we thought, it looked bad because he cleared the ball and had a tackle on his ankle, but he was telling me in the dressing room that he doesn’t think it is that bad,” said Poyet.

“Giaccherini gave us plenty of energy between the lines, and he was one of our best players.

“That was the idea of playing him – to try and give us something extra and create a little bit more.”

Poyet, meanwhile, was disappointed with Sunderland’s performance at Turf Moor, and expected more from his players.

“I wanted to control that game more, to be in better positions to create better chances, but it was one of those days,” said Poyet “Everything we had planned didn't really go as well as we had liked.

“OK would get us one point per game, but even one deflected shot can go in and you lose the game, so you need to be more than OK.

“We need to impose, and these are the games where we need to stand up as a team and as individuals.

“It is difficult to explain, but being a bit better I think this was a great opportunity to take three points, with all respect to Burnley.”