GUS POYET insists his Sunderland players’ commitment cannot be questioned, although the Black Cats boss admits that was not always the case last season.

Poyet will welcome the majority of his side’s international players back to full training today as he begins to step up preparations ahead of Saturday’s trip to Southampton.

The Black Cats went into the international break buoyed by the 3-1 win over Stoke City that secured a first league win of the season and eased some of the pressure that was beginning to build after a succession of draws.

Sunderland’s strikers finally rediscovered their shooting boots against the Potters, with Steven Fletcher scoring twice and Connor Wickham also finding the target, but while Poyet admits previous goalless draws against Swansea and Burnley had proved frustrating, the Uruguayan is happy his players’ dedication and effort has not been open to debate.

That was not always the case last season, and with Sunday marking the first anniversary of his opening game as Sunderland manager, Poyet has cited last October’s 4-0 defeat at Swansea as a prime example of when the level of his side’s commitment was unacceptable.

Like the majority of football fans, Sunderland supporters demand that their players care about the shirt as much as they do, and having worked assiduously to cultivate a strong sense of team spirit and unity, Poyet is now confident that is the case.

“I think the minimum that Sunderland fans want from their players and manager is that it is obvious they care,” said the Black Cats boss. “That is something we have had to dramatically improve from last season.

“At the beginning of last year, there was a doubt. When I first got here and we lost 4-0 at Swansea, there was a doubt about how much we were suffering as a group.

“We beat Newcastle and that helped to change the momentum, and now I think you can definitely see that the team is always trying. No matter what else is happening, we are always trying really hard to win the game, or at least not to lose it.

“That is something the fans in the North-East really appreciate. It is not enough – you need to do that and then also win matches – but it is an important starting point whenever you go onto the field.”

That commitment will be required at St Mary’s as Sunderland look to halt the advance of a Southampton side that sit third in the table after claiming seven points from a possible nine in their opening three home games.

Poyet will monitor his international players closely over the next 48 hours, but having witnessed a new-look formation work fairly effectively against Stoke, the Sunderland boss could opt to name an unchanged line up on the south coast.

He will be keen to check on Seb Larsson’s mental state after the midfielder admitted to feeling extremely frustrated by his demotion from the Swedish side that claimed a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein on Sunday.

Larsson missed a penalty as Sweden drew 1-1 with Russia last Thursday, and found himself dropped for the first time in three years as head coach Erik Hamrens rang the changes at the weekend.

“I did not like it,” said Larsson. “I was very disappointed and I think that’s pretty easy to understand. There will always be new players who will do well, so it is important to always keep an eye on what is coming up behind you and be sure to perform well all the time.

“That’s competition, but it’s tough when you do not get to play. It comes down to competition, and for me it is important to continue. When the next selection comes, I have to come back and try to keep my place.”

Meanwhile, South American media sources have linked Sunderland with a possible January move for Venezuela international Mario Rondon.

The 28-year-old striker, who currently plays for Portuguese side Nacional Madeira, has expressed a desire to move on in January, with Sunderland and Real Betis both credited with an interest.