Former Sunderland chief Roberto de Fanti hopes the club sticks with Emanuele Giaccherini.

De Fanti signed the former Juventus midfielder for Sunderland 18 months ago.

He told TMW: "Emanuele played a good first season, with five goals and as many assists, then this year he was very unlucky, injuring himself twice.

"I think that when he is fit, Antonio Conte will not hesitate to call him (for Italy), given the respect that he has for him.

"It is an estimation that he has never hesitated to make even the public."