Can Scocco Edge Out Aguero Or Messi?

Last updated : 17 February 2014 By Tott Dixon - Seaham

After completing a £4million move to Sunderland, he has less than five months until the start of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Competition for places in the Argentina attack is fierce, with Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuan and Ezequiel Lavezzi all at coach Alejandro Sabella's disposal but Scocco is determined to stake his claim.

Nacho Scocco: "The World Cup is always on the mind of every player. But I know it will be difficult. I think playing in the Premier League will help though.

"I will work hard to get back to how I played in Argentina and reach the same level from Newell's.

"I know I have to work a lot to get that. I feel good. I want to help the team, but I've had two months without a game.

"It was important that I played 70 minutes against Southampton.

"It's difficult to play in the national team, because there are many players at the top level.

"But I will try to work every week and every game to try to get there. The World Cup is always on the mind of every player.

"But I know it will be difficult. I think playing in the Premier League will help though."

"It was difficult last month because I was waiting to see what would happen with me.

"I talked with Gus and talked with my manager in Brazil, to see if I could come to Sunderland. Now I'm here and I want to play now.

"It was an important victory for us because we were working towards it during the week and to continue in the cup.

"I will try to play at Wembley and work for this chance.

"We have a lot of good players here, but I will give everything to play in this game."

PLEASE VOTE ....

Gus Poyet insists he would take Premier League survival over cup glory despite seeing his team edge closer to a second big day at Wembley.

Gus Poyet: "Me, I would prefer to stay in the Premier League.

"Apparently to be more famous, it's better to win the cup.

"I don't want any more people knowing me, I think they know me enough, so I would prefer to stay in the Premier League.

"I am not looking for a statue, that's for sure.

"It's a personal feeling. I can't answer for anybody else, it's me. I would be devastated if we go down, so it's me.

"Now at the same time, I have to say if we win the cup, I am going to be jumping up and down and I am going to be wanting to come back here and celebrate with the fans, that's true.

"We will see, we will see what happens."

 PLEASE VOTE ....

Obviously we want to win a cup AND be playing Premier League football ... but if you were put on the spot ... which would YOU choose?

PLEASE VOTE:  http://www.sunderland-mad.co.uk/interactive/voting_polls.asp