Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is happy to count on Phil Bardsley after his problems under Paolo di Canio.
Bardsley's opportunity came after Poyet arrived and started to assess what he had at his disposal, ultimately deciding the discarded former Manchester United defender could do a job for him.
The Uruguayan said: "The approach from me to him was very different to what happened before. I tried to put that aside and be myself with him.
"He came, we had a chat, everything is clear. He knows the chance he has got - he needs to take it. It's not up to us, it's up to him."
