Sunderland forward Fabio Borini on why he gets so emotional and why Cats should take inspiration from champions Leicester City

The Sunderland forward has endured a frustrating campaign, having struggled with injury in the early part of the season followed by an indifferent run of form.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have been battling relegation all season, with the Black Cats now six points from safety ahead of the final 11 games.

The passionate 25-year-old says he keeps his emotions in check off the pitch, but he can’t help showing them during games.

Borini said: “I care and that’s probably why I get more frustrated than I should actually be, because frustration can actually get you in a negative side of your mood, but I hope everyone feels the same.

“People are different in how they show emotions – I’m actually quite closed.

“I don’t show emotion a lot, apart from when I’m on the pitch because it’s easy, it’s natural, it’s my environment and I try to show in actions rather than word.

He has scored just once in 15 appearances this season but has been played out wide when he has featured, with Borini opening up about his frustrations over his position recently.

Sunderland have a free weekend after today’s scheduled Premier League game away to relegation rivals Middlesbrough was rescheduled due to Boro’s cup run.

Aitor Karanka’s side today host Manchester City at the Riverside in the quarter-finals of the competition, with the game against Sunderland still to be rescheduled.

It is likely the game will take place in an already busy April, with Sunderland facing six games as they battle against the drop. Sunderland are back in action when they host Burnley next Saturday.

Borini believes confidence is key and says with that anything is possible – just ask last season’s surprise Premier League champions Leicester

“Every time we stayed up in the past few years, it has been down to what we have done ourselves on the pitch by working together and sacrificing for one another,” added Borini. “That’s what kept us up,. Confidence is the key in modern football, as Leicester showed last season – they won the league with an average team.”