DAVID MOYES will not take any risks over Jordan Pickford’s fitness by rushing him back into action for Sunderland, particularly after Vito Mannone’s own return to form.

Pickford has returned to full training with the Black Cats squad ahead of Saturday’s visit of Southampton to the Stadium of Light.

The 22-year-old has had to bide his time since sustaining knee ligament damage on Boxing Day at Manchester United, with a specialist recently urging him not to take part in full sessions and to avoid contact.

But Pickford has now been given the go-ahead to step things up and he could even be considered for the visit of the Saints.

But Moyes – still concerned about the hamstring problems picked up by Jack Rodwell and John O’Shea - is prepared to give him more time to prove his fitness because of Mannone’s recent performances.

The Italian has kept two clean sheets in a row to help Sunderland collect four points from a draw with Tottenham and then a comprehensive 4-0 victory at Crystal Palace.

The results have given the Black Cats a chance of climbing out of the relegation zone for the first time since August if they beat the Saints this weekend.

Pickford’s performances in the first half of the season were a real bonus to Sunderland in times of struggle and he has attracted interested from Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

He is sure to be the subject of enquiries in the summer transfer window, and his valuation has soared during a season when he has also forced his way into the England reckoning under Gareth Southgate.

Sunderland will be presented with a quandary this summer over his future, which is why to stand a chance of keeping him it would seem vital they stay in the Premier League.

Mannone has the shirt at the moment and there will also be uncertainty surrounding his future. His agent has confirmed that there has been interest from Italy – where Genoa were linked.

Sunderland striker Fabio Borini was also linked with the same Italian return, although Napoli were also mooted, and Roberto de Fanti has admitted that heading back to Italy at some point would appeal to them.

De Fanti, the former Sunderland director of football, said: "We often forget that Vito and Fabio have played their entire career in the Premier League, except for one year with Fabio at Roma.

"Italy, however, always remains home and after a while more and more you want to go back. There was something with some top Italian clubs but the conditions were not right. We will see this summer.”

Sunderland are two points adrift of safety on 19 points, the same number they had last season after 24 matches and they ended up staying up.

Last Saturday’s victory at Crystal Palace has given everyone a lift, and went against the grain a little compared to previous successful relegation battles. They have only won three times in February and March during the last few years and lost 14 times.

Moyes has considered further free agent signings, on the back of landing Joleon Lescott last month.

Former Juventus centre-back Martin Caceres was under consideration and there have been tentative talks. He has not played this season since leaving Juve, but is in Southampton to discuss a move.

Moyes would be more open to the idea of a new forward after missing out on Leonardo Ulloa before the transfer window closed.

There are, though, not many forwards around capable of complementing Jermain Defoe in the squad, which is why 36-year-old Robbie Keane has been regularly touted.

Djibril Cisse, meanwhile, has retired from the game.

The former Sunderland striker, 35, has been forced to call it a day after struggling with a long-term hip problem.

Cisse, who had tried to play again after initially quitting in October, said: “I have loved being a footballer. Up until now, the ball was my whole life. I would have liked to have continued my career, but I have to admit that football is finished.

"I'm going to give myself body and soul to my career as a DJ, a producer, and as a pundit, as well as develop my line of clothing."

Cisse joined Sunderland on loan in 2008 before moving to Greek side Panathinaikos. He has since had spells with Lazio, QPR, Kuban Krasnodar and Bastia.