EMANUELE GIACCHERINI will stay at Sunderland next season and can thrive under the tutelage of Dick Advocaat, his agent has claimed.

The 30-year-old winger was a surprise inclusion in a 34-man Italy squad for a training camp ahead of the Azzuri’s European Championship qualifier against Croatia, and the former Juventus man is confident that a good season on Wearside will keep him in Antonio Conte’s thoughts ahead of Euro 2016.

Giaccherini’s agent, Furio Valcareggi, told the Italian press that they snubbed interest from other clubs in the January transfer window and revealed the £6.5million signing is fully committed to Sunderland.

“Emanuele was very pleased to return to the Azzurri,” Valcareggi said of his call-up. “He was also calm when Conte decided not to put him in the squad after the training camp, because he had only played for 20 minutes in the last six months, and that was against Chelsea with the team [Sunderland] already safe.”

“Sunderland have kept [Dick] Advocaat as manager, he’s a very good one, a guru of football, and with him Giaccherini can be a genius.

“I’m sure Giaccherini will do very well next season, his goal is the European Championships. He will 100 per cent remain at Sunderland.

“Although we had some interest last winter, we decided to believe in the project of the English club.”

Giaccherini made only 12 appearances in all competitions last season, after picking up an ankle injury against Burnley in September which put him out for three months, before succumbing to a recurrence of the injury in the FA Cup fourth round replay at Fulham in February.

The playmaker, a signing by Roberto De Fanti in 2013 when Paolo Di Canio was head coach, was due to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery, but returned earlier than expected and managed 15 minutes in the final stages of Sunderland’s 3-1 defeat at champions Chelsea on the last day of the season.

Valcareggi has called next season – the third year of his four-year deal with the Black Cats – a decisive one in which Giaccherini can finally show what he is capable of delivering after a frustrating beginning to his career on Wearside.

“In the first season he couldn’t, perhaps because of the change between Di Canio and then with (Di Canio’s successor Gus) Poyet,” said Valcareggi of Giaccherini’s time on Wearside.

“In the second season has hardly played because two fractures to the tibia, but next year will be the decisive one.

“He has a lot of confidence for next season and Giaccherini does not see now as the time to leave Sunderland.

“Giaccherini has great respect for Advocaat and is looking forward to working with him next season.”

On his call-up to the Italian squad, Giaccherini confirmed that he was happy on Wearside.

"I'll be again in Sunderland next year, I have had a very unlucky season, but I will be part of the Azzurri again and I'm really happy,” said the midfielder.

Meanwhile, the club have confirmed ticket details for their two domestic pre-season fixtures against Darlington and Doncaster Rovers.

The Black Cats kick-off their preparations for the 2015-16 Barclays Premier League season when they face the Quakers on Thursday, July 9, 7.45pm kick-off, at Heritage Park.

Tickets for the Darlington clash, which are standing only, are priced at £12 for adults and £6 for over 60s and under 16s.

Following a three game tour of North America, Dick Advocaat’s men will face League One side Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday, July 29, 7.45pm kick-off, at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Tickets for the game in South Yorkshire are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for over 60s and under 22s.

Both fixtures will follow the same schedule of sale, with each phase subject to availability. 2015-16 season card holders with five or more loyalty points can purchase one ticket per membership number from 9am Monday until 5pm Wednesday. Season card holders can purchase a ticket, subject to availability, from 9am Thursday until 5pm Friday, and any general sale will be subject to availability, commencing at 9am Monday, June 29.