FORGOTTEN man Charis Mavrias wants to use pre-season to finally show Sunderland what he is capable of.

The winger was a Roberto de Fanti signing from Panathinaikos in 2013, but spent a chunk of last season on loan back at the Greek side, and is yet to make an appearance for Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat.

However, the Dutchman wants to take a look at the right-sided midfielder and will give him the opportunities in pre-season before making a decision on his future.

"This is my third year in Sunderland and the second time I will participate from the outset in pre-season training, and I think it's time to show what I can do, otherwise we will see what happens in the future,” said Mavrias, who has made two starts in total in his Black Cats career, with his solitary goal coming in an FA Cup fixture against Kidderminster Harriers.

“In the discussions that we have had, the club have said that this year they will be more clear about what they want to do with me whether I stay or not.

"Sure I have won things, but I've lost already. I benefited through training and being a player in the Premier League, but on the other hand I did not play at all.

“While a player improves through training, massive improvement comes through the struggles and experience you acquire as a competitor against bigger and better rivals.”

There were high hopes for Mavrias when he became a £2million signing for Sunderland, but found opportunities limited when Paolo Di Canio was sacked early in the 2013-14 season.

Mavrias felt let down by former head coach Gus Poyet, who selected him during last season's pre-season but did not play him competitively, the winger making eight appearances as an unused substitute under the Uruguayan.

"The first year was different. I left Panathinaikos and I went to a club that would challenge,” explained Mavrias. “I was choosing Di Canio who was then head coach at Sunderland and I knew that I would be important. But things did not develop well as the coach left, and not subsequently I got no chance.

"When you're abroad and you’re not playing, it’s hard.

"The second year, maybe, it was the ugliest. I played all of the games in pre season but what happened afterwards was not the same. I don’t know what changed or what went wrong, but I did not get the opportunities to show my value.

"Of course we footballers who take the step to go abroad, it’s important to play. When you’re not playing things are difficult because when you're abroad you can’t just spend time with friend, go for a walk and relax, as could happen when you are in your country. "My friends visited me and my parents helped me too. It is difficult for a player when not playing, psychologically.”

Mavrias rejoined Panathinaikos on loan in January, and played regularly until June 7, before he returned to Wearside. Sunderland had intended to send him to a Championship club in order to prepare the winger for life in English football.

Mavrias said: "Yes it was last minute because I was told by Sunderland that I had to wait until the Monday where we had an U21 game to play, where I’d be watched by some teams from the Championship who had expressed interest but I did not like.

“The team wanted me to go on loan but preferred a Championship team because the English consider it to be a very good and strong league and prefer to send players on loan there.”

Mavrias is looking forward to getting a fresh start under Advocaat, but will look for a move if he does not get opportunities.

"I'm here in England, season preparations will take place, friendly matches, and depending on the decisions of the coach and the technical director and how the situation will evolve, we will see how things are and how they move,” he said.

“Certainly we need to have a little patience.

"The issue is now to be get playing time and I show what I can offer. Definitely my priority right now is Sunderland. But like I said, I will see what will happen and either go abroad or return to Panathinaikos, because I want to be somewhere where I will be useful."

Sunderland play their first pre-season friendly at Darlington on Thursday night.

Quakers have released information for both sets of supporters, with segregation in place at Heritage Park for the friendly.

Darlington supporters have been allocated the main stand, the ‘tin-shed’ and the standing area between both of these areas adjacent to the toilet cabins. Sunderland supporters have been allocated the full length of the standing area opposite the main stand, the seated area behind the goal and the standing area between the main stand and seated area behind the goal.

Darlington supporters can only access the ground through the two turnstiles on the left hand side, at the end of the main stadium car park. Sunderland supporters can only enter the ground through the other two turnstiles (closest to the March Hare pub).

Car parking is available in Car Park B and Car Park C (behind the March Hare pub) on a first come, first served basis.

Darlington have confirmed that there will be no alcohol served pitchside anywhere in the stadium. The bar in the main stand will open for Darlington fans only and will close at 7.30pm and will not open again until ten minutes after the final whistle.