Mavrias battling for first team pkace with Sunderland

Mavrias was one of the stand-out performers of Sunderland’s pre-season programme, despite predominantly being used as a makeshift full-back.

But Mavrias is yet to make a Premier League appearance under Gus Poyet and hasn’t even been included on the bench for Sunderland’s last three games.

The 20-year-old, who could be involved in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup clash against Stoke, has caught Poyet’s eye on the training ground though, with the head coach prepared to eventually hand him an opportunity.

Poyet said: “Harry trains 100 per cent, every single day.

“He’s a great example. He’s not in the team, but he’s there.

“He knows he needs to be fit and be ready for any chances or anything that happens.

“If the rest are the same, we’ve got an incredible situation; the quality of training, the atmosphere, the belief.

“And yes they’ll get upset because they are not playing, but we want that as well.”

Mavrias has started just two games for Sunderland since arriving in a £2million deal from Panathinaikos last summer.

But despite that minimal amount of competitive football during his maiden campaign at the Stadium of Light, Poyet is not looking to send the Greek international out on loan.

There was interest in Mavrias last season - thought to have included a potential return to Panathinaikos - but Poyet will leave those enquiries in the hands of sporting director Lee Congerton.

“We had one or two enquiries last year,” said Poyet.

“But at the moment...

“I try not to be constantly informed about any calls or any approaches.

“Last year, there was a moment when we had six or seven for Danny (Graham) so you try not to get involved for that reason.

“I prefer Lee Congerton to deal with that.

“And if something really strong comes in, then we’ll call the player and talk to him.

“It’s not like in the old days - and I’m only talking about three or four years ago - when a manager would talk to another manager about a player.

“I think that’s going away now, maybe because of too many foreigners.

“But me, I’m a bit old-fashioned in that.

“I would like the situation to be explained clearly because then we show a bit of respect for each other.”

The two players Sunderland are proactively looking to loan out, Graham and Cabral, remain in training at the Stadium of Light, with the Black Cats yet to receive any concrete interest in the out-of-favour duo.

“No (they’re not close to leaving),” added Poyet.

“They’re training well and they’re being professionals.

“There’s no complaints when they have to run a bit extra. They’ve been spot-on.”