Di Canio fires barbs at Sunderland stars

Ex-Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio described two of his former players as "rotten", while current boss Gus Poyet completed a withering weekend assessment after being left 'bored' by the team's labored FA Cup win over fifth-tier Kidderminster Town.

Italian Di Canio has not been reluctant to share his feelings about certain members of the Premier League strugglers who were believed to be behind his sacking in September after only 13 league matches in charge.

A player revolt was understood to be his undoing with midfielder Lee Cattermole and fullback Phil Bardsley, both deemed surplus to requirements by Di Canio, thought to be among a group that demanded his sacking.