SEB LARSSON has become a key player in Gus Poyet’s Sunderland system and there were fears at the Stadium of Light that the Swede would turn his back on the club last summer.

Larsson had endured one relegation struggle after another on Wearside following his switch from Birmingham in 2011 and Poyet thought he would have just moved on.

The 29-year-old was out of contract at the end of last season but Sunderland moved to offer him fresh terms in a bid to prevent him from leaving for nothing.

Rather than head for pastures new like Jack Colback did in similar circumstances, the Swedish midfielder decided to stick around after being impressed by the early work of Poyet.

And during Sunderland’s recent good run, which continued with a stirring 1-0 win at Newcastle on Sunday, Larsson has been effective in one of the central midfield roles.

Poyet said: “He’s been incredible. Three or four players were finishing their contracts last season and we wanted to keep them. There were a couple of situations that broke down very quickly, especially Jack, and that was when we couldn’t win a game around March, so everything was on standby.

“After we finished the season the way we finished, I thought it was more possible that we would keep Jack than Seb, but I was wrong. We were negotiating with both of them and we ended up with Seb, so plenty of credit to him for wanting to stay here.”

Larsson had previously left Arsenal and Birmingham as a free agent. Poyet said: “He’s an important player and I think he’s really enjoying his football. Knowing Seb from his past, I think he’s finished every contract in his life (and then left the club), which meant it was going to be tough to keep him.

“I cannot be more delighted to have him in my team. It was a great commitment from him as well to stay. Three or four from that team are no longer here, which adds credit to the decision that he made.”

Larsson has figured in 21 of Sunderland’s games this season and his performances are helping to keep £10m man Jack Rodwell out of the side.

He is set to continue in the role alongside Jordi Gomez against Hull this afternoon, with Sunderland eyeing up a victory which could edge them closer to the top ten. It could also pile the pressure on former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.

Poyet has sympathy for Bruce, whose side are second bottom going in to today’s game. He said: “I have analysed it quite a lot. For teams not in the top six who are in Europe, like Hull were, it is difficult for them. Hull had to play in the Premier League, Europa League, two cups, they brought in plenty of players, they needed plenty, and then the Europa League didn’t go too well.

“When you are hit by injuries it’s incredible how quickly things turn. In the beginning it was a fantastic season for Hull and now it is difficult. Knowing what they did to us last year I am thinking this could be our opportunity. This is a massive game for us, massive.

“When you are down there, at least Bruce has the experience with him. I don’t need to tell him anything. It’s about how you cope with the situation. Now they have Tom Ince and Maynor Figueroa back from loans to help. They need a win.”

Poyet, despite spending 15 years in English football, does not even think Sunderland should be facing Hull at this stage of the season.

“You play eight games in December and ten up until the end of November? Seems crazy?” he said. “I don’t like it and I think it’s wrong. The players are fresh at the beginning of the season, not in the middle. I would not have a problem playing Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday for the whole month in August.

“It is warm then, the pitches are at their best and if you need to prepare yourself for an extra week or two weeks in advance then come back for pre-season training earlier. That’s your decision. You cannot complain you weren’t ready to come back and play six league games in August and six games league games in September.

“To ask footballers to play this many games in December is unreasonable. It’s quite crazy. The British people in football and the ones, like me, who have been here for a long time, we are used to it. It is part of your life in football. But I’m thinking in the long term, people are starting to talk more and more about stopping after Christmas.”