Poyet - Wembley Places Still Up For Grabs!

Last updated : 22 February 2014 By Tott Dixon - Seaham

The Black Cats head for Arsenal on Saturday, just eight days before they meet Manchester City at Wembley with the season's first major trophy at stake.

However, while Poyet admits he knows most of his team for the big day, there could still be opportunities available.

Asked if players will be competing for places at the Emirates Stadium, he said: "No doubt, no doubt.

"Managers will always have seven or eight we will pick if they are fit, which leaves three or four which are always available for people depending on what they do or how they feel.

"I hope nothing happens next week so I can make the decisions based on performance and what we need.

"It could be an illness, it could be a virus, it could be anything, and then somebody who is not expecting to be there then is there, and you want that person to be very good because you know the team is going to be affected.

"If (the final) was this week I would have no complaints because everybody has been spot-on, so we will see.

"I don't want to exaggerate because then we go and we lose 5-0 and you will be laughing at me next week, but this is one of the best weeks we have had in training, one of the best.

"Call it whatever - excitement or freshness or people confident because of what they have done on the pitch or what is coming, Arsenal and Manchester City and they want to be there - you can put it down to whatever.

"But I can tell you that in terms of quality and the quantity, it's been the best week."