EMANUELE Giaccherini has looked sharp for Sunderland in the build up to Sunday's 151st Tyne-Wear derby, with head coach Gus Poyet boosted ahead of the trip to St James' Park.

The Black Cats head in to the eagerly-awaited fixture on the back of three successive victories over the Magpies, with Alan Pardew speaking earlier about the need to address that run of results.

But Poyet is looking forward to making the short trip over the River Tyne this weekend and he could turn to Giaccherini to spring a surprise at some stage.

Giaccherini has not figured since September because of ankle trouble but he has shrugged off the injury and put himself in to contention for the Newcastle match, even if full-back Billy Jones will have to wait.

Poyet said: “Everbody’s fit, Giaccherini’s been great and is raring to go. Because everyone’s all right we’re going to give Billy (Jones) an extra week. We need to be careful, so an extra week will help him.

“Patrick van Aanholt’s injury, because it was to his shoulder, gave him an opporunity to train to an unbelievable level without having contact. When he comes back to the contact side he will be practically ready to play. That’s what happened to Giaccherini.

“But Billy’s different, it’s a muscle injury so there’s a level of training he can do and another one he can’t do. He’s not as fit as he would be if it was a different injury, so we’re taking it nice and easy.

“The other thing is we’ve been okay defending, more or less, so I’m not going to push him."

The positive injury news has given Sunderland ideal preparation ahead of facing Newcastle.

Poyet has won both of his Tyne -Wear derbies so far and he is keen to maintain that by stunning St James' for a second time this year on Sunday. 

Poyet said: "I hope it continues. There’s no better feeling. Football is very nice but some games are incredible and this is a special one, especially when you’re on the winning side. There is no better than that."