Sunderland midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini is targeting a fast start to the new campaign after an injury ravaged 2014-15 season.

The Italian international was restricted to just eight league appearances last term due to a persistent ankle problem, but he has featured on a regular basis during the club’s pre-season preparations and he is looking forward to a better campaign this time around.

He said: “This season is very important for me because I need to play games, so I hope to do well after featuring throughout pre-season and I’m ready to play.”

The Black Cats have struggled against relegation in each of the last three seasons and finished just three points above the drop zone during the last campaign.

Giaccherini knows how important it will be to start the season in a positive fashion and put as many points on the board as quickly as possible if they are to avoid another battle at the bottom of the table.

He continued: “I’m excited for the new season and I hope that it is a good year for me and the team. We need to start well and we need to take points from the first four games, but right now we’re just focussing on winning against Leicester City.”

The former Juventus player has made only 18 league starts since moving to Wearside in 2013 and he admitted that he feels he has a point to prove to the club’s supporters during his third campaign in the north east.

He revealed: “I want to show my quality for the supporters and also for myself; the first season was okay with a few goals and assists but the second was difficult due to injury, so hopefully this year I can reward the investment in me by the fans and the club.”