The Italy international rejected the chance to join the Black Cats on a permanent basis during the summer but has struggled for game time at Anfield since then

Gus Poyet is open to the possibility of a fresh move to bring Liverpool forward Fabio Borini back to Sunderland.

Borini spent the 2013-14 campaign on loan at the Stadium of Light and scored seven goals in 32 Premier League appearances.

The Black Cats manager made no secret of his desire to bring the 23-year-old to Wearside on a permanent basis during the last transfer window but the proposed move collapsed.

The forward’s prospects of regular first-team football at Anfield appear slim, though, with Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers leaving the forward out of his squad for Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Poyet’s side, and the Uruguayan is keen to strike a deal in January if the opportunity arises.

“I would love to [sign Borini],” he told reporters. “It is difficult to explain [why the previous move collapsed].

“It was a long summer and the things everyone knows, we agreed a price and we flew to America [for Liverpool’s pre-season tour] and he didn’t come.

“The bottom line is he is not with us. I am trying to concentrate on what we have got.”