AN EMOTIONAL Julio Arca last night admitted his future on Wearside is 'out of his hands'.

Only last week the Argentinian hinted he may leave the Stadium of Light after a six-year love affair with the club. And after the Black Cats secured their first Premier League home win in three-and-a-half years, against Fulham on Thursday, he confessed he was still no clearer about what might happen over the summer.

The 25-year-old midfielder missed the Black Cats' previous two fixtures with a hamstring injury but had hoped to play a part in Thursday's 2-1 victory over the Cottagers.

It is still touch and go whether Arca makes the trip to Villa Park tomorrow and he could miss out on the opportunity to bid a fond farewell to the Sunderland fans who have worshipped him since he arrived on Wearside from Argentinos Juniors six years ago.

"I really don't know what is going to happen with me. I was really looking forward to playing one last game this season at home," said Arca, whose last match at the Stadium of Light came in the home defeat to rivals Newcastle United on Easter Monday.

"I did think about asking Bally if I could just play in the final ten minutes but I didn't want to ask him because that might look like I just wanted to play my last game and say goodbye.

"I really don't want that to be the case. I would love to be back at the Stadium of Light but what happens to me now could be taken out of my hands.

"There is still a chance I will be at Sunderland."

Arca acknowledged the club's poor show on their return to the top flight this season has been a bitter pill to swallow but says the club's fanatical following has eased the pain a little.

"There can't be many places like this in the world where people would turn out to fill the stadium when we have been relegated," said Arca, who plans on returning to Argentina at the end of the season and calling in on neighbour Diego Maradonna.

One player definitely leaving is on-loan defender Justin Hoyte who returns to Arsenal after the club's game at Aston Villa.

The 21-year old defender admitted he was overcome with emotion after the Wearsiders finally ended their long barren run without a home victory by beating Chris Coleman's side.

"It was emotional doing the lap of thanks at the end," said Hoyte who played 29 times and netted one goal in his season at the club. "It was great for me playing my last game at home for Sunderland. The fans have been fantastic from the start right to the end. They've really given me a lot of confidence.

"Hopefully one day I'll come back to play here again."

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