Do not compare me to Di Canio - Poyet

New Sunderland boss Gus Poyet says he should not be compared to controversial predecessor Paolo Di Canio.

"The time of Paolo has come to an end. We are all different. You cannot compare me to anyone. I am not better or worse, I am different" said Poyet.

Poyet added that caretaker boss Kevin Ball would stay at the club.

Gus Poyet's Brighton record Played Won Drawn Lost Win ratio 194 86 59 49 44.3%

Ball, usually the club's professional development coach, oversaw spirited, if unsuccessful, performances against Liverpool and Manchester United.

Mauricio Taricco and Charlie Oatway are expected to team up with Poyet as his backroom staff, just as they did at Brighton before his dismissal in June, but the Uruguayan believes Ball still has a part to play.

"Kevin doesn't know yet how important he is going to be for me. It is clear you need someone with the qualities Kevin has so I am going to count on him a lot," he said.

Poyet described the task ahead of him as a "difficult challenge" but declared that he had seen enough to know the team, who have taken one point from their opening seven games, could survive in the Premier League.

Former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Poyet's first match in charge will be against Swansea on the 19 October before North East rivals Newcastle travel to the Stadium of Light on 27 October.