Gus Poyet says he has no qualms about handing the Argentine centre-half his full debut against comfortably the most prolific side in the Premier League.
Gus Poyet: “It will be as tough a first full game as Santiago could have had in English football, that’s for sure.
“But I have no worries about it.
“You assess the player and you decide whether he is ready, where he can handle it, and I’m sure Santiago can.
“I handed Liam Bridcutt a debut against Newcastle United and he did very well.
“It doesn’t get any more intimidating than an away derby, and although Manchester City is a massive challenge for us, I know Santiago will be looking forward to it.
“I feel that I can rely on any of the players in the group.
“I watched Vergini a lot before he came here, so I know what he can do.
“I thought Santiago did well in testing circumstances.
“He is still learning the language, and the English game, but I was very happy with how he performed, it was more than OK.
“There was one moment, at the very beginning where Nikica Jelavic knocked him about five yards off the ball – in Argentina, that’s a foul; in England: nothing.
“But he learned from that, thought: “OK welcome to England, Santiago” and he got on with it.
“One of the things I like about him is that he is an adaptable player, and he will be looking forward to the job he faces tonight.”