Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is sorry to have lost fullback Phil Bardsley to Stoke City.
The 29-year-old returns to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday having joined the Potters on a free transfer after his deal on Wearside expired during the summer.
And ahead of the Capital One cup third-round tie, Poyet said: "If I said I was disappointed I would not be telling the whole truth because it hurts badly.
"I am very sad because we helped each other a lot. He was training elsewhere and we brought him back and he reacted in an incredible way.
"He helped us to get safe and we helped him to come back into football. And then things happened. In football these things happen."
He went on: '"he first two (Bardsley and Jack Colback, who joined Newcastle) that we decided to negotiate with, they didn't work, because everybody was playing the waiting game.
"That killed us a bit, for whatever reason. It was not like we were not agreeing, but it all depended on where we were the following season and maybe then it became too late.
"Then players get an offer and sometimes it is difficult to equal as it is too much. That is a side of the game. It not about being greedy. Not at all.
"The problem was timing. It was impossible. You tell a player we cannot offer you a contract until we know we are in the Premier League or the Championship and they will say it all depends.
"In the end that is what happened with Phil and it was difficult for him. It is tough for us. It hurt more than anything because he is not with me, but if he is happy and his family are happy then I'm alright because with it that is the most important thing. I hope we will see him on Tuesday."
