Sunderland manager Gus Poyet would love to keep hold of on-loanLiverpool striker Fabio Borini.

Borini is already a firm favourite with Sunderland supporters after two goals in the derby victories, and the opener in the Capital One Cup Final when he was surprisingly selected.

Poyet said: "Fabio has become a hero, a legend, which is great. He has really got into the club and the fans. He lives football, he's a top professional, he's always on time, he's always trying to be better in training. He's that type of person, he's always looking after what he's eating or what he's not eating.

"I don’t know if it will be possible to sign him, it's out of our hands but I can tell you that we like him a lot and we will try. People will say the price is going up. I'm not going to lie, he's an important player, he's been great. I hope he finishes the season at the same level scoring important goals."