Poyet keen to "forget" Bardsley past
New Sunderland boss Gus Poyet says he wants to "forget" past incidents involving Phil Bardsley and insists the defender still has a future at the club.
Bardsley, 28, fell out of favour under previous manager Paolo Di Canio. Bardsley was dropped from the Sunderland squad after a much-publicised incident at a casino. He then landed himself in more trouble when he mocked the club's opening day defeat to Fulham on Twitter.
However, Poyet says he will give the Scotland International the chance to prove himself. He said: "I made a decision with my staff, with the club and also with Phil that we will give him a chance."
Poyet added: "I think it's important that we all try to forget about that [what previously happened] and we'll see how he reacts. I hope he can be one of the best players out there."