Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has admitted that he would like to retain the services of Fabio Borini if the club avoids relegation.
The 22-year old Italian striker is on a season-long loan from Liverpool and has scored some vital goals for the Black Cats during his stay.
Borini will return to Anfield at the end of the season but Poyet would love to bring him back to the Stadium of Light if the Wearsiders stay out of the bottom three by the culmination of the campaign.
"Borini is an important player, and he will be important to us if we stay in the Premier League, and are able to keep him," Poyet told the Shields Gazette.
"He's the perfect character to have in a group of players these days - he's the perfect professional, always positive."
Borini has made 22 Premier League appearances for the Mackem, scoring three goals, for a total of six goals in 30 outings in all competitions.
